Heather Mac Donald [City Journal, 1 March 2007]

Gerard Mortier threatens to “update” City Opera—with trendy nihilism.

With the appointment of Gerard Mortier to head New York City Opera, one of America’s leading houses may be about to plunge headlong into the anti-musical narcissism now prevalent in Europe. The consequences for American musical life could be dire, not least for that great institution across the plaza from City Opera, the Metropolitan Opera.