Why Opera and Ballet Still Matter in a Fast-Paced Digital Culture
Just a few days ago we had the controversy of Timothée Chalamet saying that he wouldn’t want to work in opera or ballet because “no one cares about this anymore.” His comment triggered strong reactions from artists and cultural institutions defending those art forms, for all the good reasons and with every right to do so.
However, beyond the controversy itself, this moment exposes something deeper about our current cultural environment: the growing tension between fast culture and slow art.
Fast Culture and the Loss of Patience for Complex Art
It takes an enormous amount of curiosity to expose ourselves to new experiences and to remain open to exploring what exists beyond our usual preferences.
In the times of TikTok and Instagram, where scrolling the screen resembles the movement of casino slot machines, it becomes extremely difficult for younger generations to develop the patience required to explore slower art forms such as opera or ballet.
Learning to Appreciate Art Takes Time
I remember being a teenager when I watched The Nutcracker for the first time. To be honest, I was not mature enough to appreciate the performance fully. I liked it, but it did not move me.
Looking back, I think the objective of my parents was simply to expose me to something new little by little, much like we do with food and children, so that our taste gradually becomes more refined.
My love for ballet truly started when I watched Julio Bocca dance for the first time. He was not simply dancing; he was living the moment and making the audience believe it. That level of emotional presence is extremely moving, especially when you are watching it from just a few metres away.
My First Encounter with Opera
My first contact with opera happened when I was a child, listening to Caruso on one of the few open-air television channels we had in Argentina.
That was one of the unexpected benefits of having fewer entertainment choices at the time. We were exposed to cultural content whether we liked it or not… and often we ended up liking it through repetition.
Later I discovered Maria Callas, which was a little difficult for my young age, and then Pavarotti.
Algorithms, Attention Span and Cultural Exposure
Today the algorithm shows us more of what we already like, training us to develop shorter attention spans and less patience to explore something new or unfamiliar.
Slow art forms are not designed for fast stimulation. On the contrary, opera invites you to stop and enter an introspective state. It requires emotional attention.
Sometimes you even experience sadness, or intensity, but in a much more conscious way.
It is similar to tasting a complex dish with many flavours. You must slow down to appreciate it. Yes, comparing anything with food is so me!
Exposure, Not Value, Is the Real Issue
If Timothée is correct and nobody cares about these art forms anymore, a claim that contradicts the global success of Rosalía, it is not because opera or ballet have lost their value. It is more likely a matter of lack of exposure. Younger generations simply encounter these art forms less frequently.
No matter how much time passes, Pavarotti will continue to be played as long as civilisation exists. I am not entirely sure that Timothée’s films will resist the passage of time quite as well.
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