Artslandia at the Performance: Portland Playhouse Nov/Dec 2014 | Page 17

Would a world class city necessarily have world
class museums, symphonies, operas and ballets? This is where the definition problem becomes acute for me. I have a tentative definition
of a world class city, but I have a hard time separating the specific elements and judging them
independently. I think of Paris as a world class
city, for example, in part because I’m familiar
with its active and interesting performing and
fine arts scenes. On the other hand, if I were to
separate its components from the whole, maybe
I’d argue that it doesn’t have a world class orchestra, at least on the order of Berlin or Vienna.

of its history and future as I enjoy and support
its present. I also think about how hard that
can be, because it isn’t clear that we’re invited
to participate by the institutions. Unless they
welcome us — and not just our money — it’s
difficult to feel part of things.

But really, I don’t want to go there. I don’t want
to argue for Berlin and