Opera d'Oro's digital comeback

Well, it's been a while since my last post, and I apologize for such a long delay. Things have been very busy here at the Opera d'Oro camp. We are about to launch a totally new website, chock full of great ways to experience the Opera d'Oro world. I am very excited about this and hope you will check it out once it goes live. We are shooting for Monday, Dec. 3.

I read recently that the great soprano, Barbara Hendricks, is going to be releasing her newest album in a very peculiar fashion. In addition to her physical release on CD, she will be releasing it digitally in a similar manner that the band Radiohead did back in October.

Now, I'm not going to stand on a soapbox and discuss if this is controversial or not. But I must share this observation: classical musicians are beginning to realize how important the digital world has become. The genres within classical music are experiencing a renaissance right now. See the New Yorker's article: The Well Tempered Web

And here's where Opera d'Oro comes in. I have recently researched OPD's catalog at the popular download service, eMusic. Our catalog has had immense success among the subscribers and fans of opera on this site. So much so, that we continue to hold top chart spots (La Boheme was #1 in Opera last week). There is little doubt that the digital world is a wonderful new way to reach audiences. But who would have thought that we could make such an impact in so little time?! It goes to show that our line of recordings are valuable to a new and ever expanding group of listeners. And we aren't the only ones. Numerous artists and labels are experiencing this growth, which is why I think Ms. Hendricks is trying out a new promotional strategy. She, like us and so many others, know that this great new world is out there, eager to listen and discover.

Opera d'Oro's website will definitely be an expansion of this presence in the digital world. I'm curious to know what you all will think. When it launches, send me some feedback!