In a marked reversal of an earlier stance, a widely-respected, listener-supported classical radio station in North Carolina has stated it will broadcast the complete season of New York’s eminent Metropolitan Opera. Prior objections cited the portrayal of mature themes and usage of explicit language in six of the performances to refrain from their broadcast.
WCPE, a prominent, round-the-clock classical music station, had issued a written communication in the past month to its audience. In the letter, the station divulged the reasoning behind considering six Met performances as inappropriate for broadcast, attributing it to adult content, language, and an isolated objection to the employment of non-Biblical texts.
Following an outpouring of feedback from their supporters, listeners, and the wider public, the Raleigh-Durham-serving station resolved to broadcast the entire upcoming 2023-2024 season. The station conveyed the decision via a succinct message shared on social media channels last Thursday.
Emphasizing their dedication, the station noted, “The collective workforce and volunteers of The Classical Station are committed to our mission of enhancing the world as a sanctuary from worldly concerns and cultivating a community held together by the mutual admiration for Great Classical Music.”
The decision has been initiated amidst a season where the Metropolitan Opera had chosen to present new works that deviated from the usual opera canon, penned by individuals less prominently highlighted in the opera world.
Deborah Procter, who serves as the radio station’s president, has previously expressed her objections to the broadcasting of six controversial operas in order to safeguard the confidence entrusted by listeners. She remarked, “We want parents to be assured that our station can run in their homes for their children’s benefit, with the guarantee of no mature themes or foul language.”
However, the Metropolitan Opera ensured in a statement disseminated to CNN recently that all performances adhere to FCC guidelines, essentially refuting the claims of any profanity or questionable language.
WCPE has now announced that it will air “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X”, despite having previously judged it to be unfit for a broad audience due to its mature content and offensive language. The opera offers a theatrical narrative of the life of the civil rights leader, showcasing a predominantly black cast. Composer Anthony Davis and Tony-nominated director Robert O’Hara have dramatically breathed life into this opera.
Further, the North Carolina station has also confirmed the broadcasting of five additional operas – “El Niño,” “Florencia en el Amazona,” “Dead Man Walking,” “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” and “The Hours”, a move that lays to rest the station’s prior reservations.
