The Spirit of This Place

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Artists today face significant challenges as funding for the arts and humanities is continually threatened, with many school districts eliminating art programs altogether. This uncertain future raises questions about the relevance of the arts amid pressing global issues like climate change and health crises. In this reflective collection, Patrick Summers passionately affirms the importance of art, arguing that it nurtures freedom of thought and is more essential now than ever. As the artistic director of the Houston Grand Opera, Summers critiques the professional arts world, which often prioritizes financial concerns and fosters elitism, while emphasizing art's intrinsic connection to joy and meaning. He defends long-form arts in an era of short attention spans, asserting that art is spiritual and that music, in particular, can pose profound questions and evoke deep emotions. Through personal anecdotes from diverse experiences, including Houston's Rothko Chapel and a music classroom in rural China, Summers shares insights from his global conducting journey. He also highlights the emerging canon of new operas in American theaters, urging musical artists to be innovative and courageous as opera evolves.