A New Audience for Opera?

While waiting for Dirty Sexy Money to start on Wednesday night, I caught the final four minutes of America's Got Talent. NEVER watched it before but here is the big finale and low and behold an opera singer wins (I think he even said he was from Missouri?).

AN OPERA SINGER WINS?

A REALITY SHOW?

OPERA?

How, all of a sudden, is opera the hip cool innovative art form?

Opera is being simulcast across the nation by the Met. Therefore reaching thousands of new audiences. I can't help but think that this laid the groundwork to the finale of America's Got Talent. Millions of Americans all of a sudden appreciate the talent and skills required by opera?

The simulcast has caused much debate in the arts world. Does is de-value the art form? What is lost to those experiecing the simulcst versus those in the Met's hall.

I looked back through old posts and this idea is really gnawing at my brain.