By Anthony Tommasini [Int'l Herald Tribune, 14 May 2008]

NEW YORK: To judge from lobby talk during performances by the New York City Opera this spring and continuing chat on opera blogs, there has been growing trepidation among the company's supporters over the coming of Gérard Mortier. The Belgian-born Mortier becomes the general manager and artistic director of the people's opera, as this essential company has been called, in 2009.