PENFIELD, N.Y. — The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the performing arts. Live, indoor performances have all been canceled, including opera productions.
Greg Kunde made an international career with his tenor voice. He’s filled eight passports performing in some 120 opera roles around the world. The pandemic has canceled his contracted performances. So now he’s keeping his voice strong, healthy, and hydrated rehearsing at his Penfield home. His last performance was 10 months ago.
"I just had the last two contracts for the first part of this year cancel. I was supposed to be on a plane to Hamburg," said Kunde. "I usually do 40 to 50 performances a year. We get paid per performance so if you don’t perform you don’t get paid."
The pandemic is a disaster for the performing arts. All of Greg Kunde’s opera performances around the world have been canceled. Kunde, an opera singer from Penfield is staying hopeful the opera will reopen in Europe in March and in Sept. in the U.S. @SPECNewsROC #opera pic.twitter.com/5l9lEgoSl4
— Wendy Mills (@WendyMillsTV) January 6, 2021
Kunde has never had this much downtime at home. He’s jokes he's getting pretty good at laundry. Sure he finds humor in the everyday tasks, but Kunde is worried about the future of the performing arts.
"It’s been devastating for the whole industry of opera, symphony, Broadway and the West End and U.K. and all the musical theater in Toronto."
Kunde is an opera star. His den is full of awards and accolades for his 42-year opera career. There’s even a newly released book about his life and career. He's humble and concerned about all his fellow singers, musicians, directors, stagehands, and support staff that are out of work.
Greg Kunde is an opera star. He’s been in 120 opera roles in his 42 year career. His tenor voice is his career so it’s been a tough 10 months without work. He continues to rehearse at home. He’s scheduled to perform in Portugal in March. @SPECNewsROC #opera #performingarts pic.twitter.com/hEE1z47Uvo
— Wendy Mills (@WendyMillsTV) January 6, 2021
"When the curtain goes up in an opera for example there are probably 250 to 300 people involved in that one performance, so you put all of those people out of work," he said.
Kunde thinks opera houses in Europe could reopen in March. In the United States, it’s looking more like September.
"The theater is theater. Watching on TV or streaming you don’t have the actual feeling as the theater does, those visceral goosebumps, or hear it for real. So we continue to hold out hope that with a vaccine we will be back in the theater and people can come and watch. But, you know, it’s gonna be a while. Anyway, pray for our industry," said Kunde.
What an honor to meet Greg Kunde. He was rehearsing an opera that’s never been heard before. I had a front row living room seat to enjoy it. It’s heartbreaking so many singers, musicians, stagehands, directors, costume designers and theatre workers are out of work. @SPECNewsROC pic.twitter.com/acl0NBu31P
— Wendy Mills (@WendyMillsTV) January 6, 2021
We are all, of course, hoping for the best for all performing artists. It’s all a wait and see when the curtain rises again. To read more about Greg Kunde check out gregorykunde.com