Opera News & Press

Bravo, Signor Morelock

David Morelock retires from a nearly 40-year career of directing for the opera stage.

Bravo, Signor Morelock

Theodore P. Mahne
Times Picayune
March 19, 2009

"It's time," he said last week between rehearsals. "It has been a long, fun career. But now I'm ready to do some crossword puzzles, read some books, take a cooking class. And maybe get a little dog."

It's fitting that this weekend's production of "Carmen" will be his last for the New Orleans Opera Association. It was with another Bizet opera -- "Les Pecheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers)" -- that Morelock began his career in 1971.

"I looked at the list the other day," he said, "and was surprised to see that since then I've directed more than 50 productions here" -- more than any other single director in the history of the New Orleans Opera Association. Add to that scores of productions across the country and dozens at Loyola University and you have a career that has spanned the vast repertoire of opera.

But Morelock is not one to dwell on his past achievements. The excitement in his voice rises as he discusses the newest, latest project.

"We have such a wonderful cast for 'Carmen.' Everyone is very involved with the drama," he said. "It's wonderful to work with a group like that -- they truly are singing actors, and that makes a big difference."

One of the most popular operas in the company's repertoire, "Carmen" has been staged by Morelock more than a few times. Nevertheless it's one he always enjoys.

"The challenge in directing 'Carmen' is that each part -- even down to the smallest roles in the chorus -- is so precisely drawn. You have to find each of those individual characters."

Whatever technical changes and stagecraft innovations have come along through his career, Morelock said it is that greater emphasis on acting that has been the single biggest change in the opera world in the past four decades.

"That is the big change in opera today," he said. "In the past, the focus was almost solely on the singing. But the young ones coming up today have to do so much more."

While audiences once routinely described going to "hear the opera," today's audiences are much more focused on "seeing the opera" and living the full experience of the drama.

"The business is much, much more competitive," as well, Morelock said.

This year also marks Morelock's retirement as director of the Opera Workshop department at Loyola University, after a 13-year tenure. Both there and through his work at the New Orleans Opera, Morelock said one of his greatest pleasures has been watching and nurturing those young artists as they rise, grow and develop their talents and move on to wonderful careers.

"That's been the most rewarding part -- watching those young singers get to the next step in their career," he said. "When I see that happen, I know I've really done something."

Morelock said he is especially pleased to be staging his final work for the company back in the Theater for the Performing Arts. "Ahhh, it's so much fun to be back. It's great to have that big set again and all that room on the big stage!"

After "Carmen" wraps up, Morelock expects to enjoy some free time, but he won't be far from the theater. He'll remain here in New Orleans and will be watching future productions staged by future directors. Just don't look for him backstage anymore.

"I'll sit out front," he said, "and just watch the magic happen."