'
Music critics depart from High Fidelity''''' In 1983, most of the senior music critics at
High Fidelity and
Musical America — including
Harris Goldsmith (1935-2014), (Stanley) Dale Harris (1928–1996),
Andrew Porter,
Will Crutchfield,
Paul Henry Lang,
Allan Kozinn, Peter G. Davis (born 1936), Kenneth (A.) Furie (born 1949), David Peter Hamilton (born 1935), Robert P. Morgan (born 1934), and Conrad L. Osborne (born 1934) — resigned in protest over a reduction of autonomy for their music editor,
James Oestreich, who had been informed by the parent that the classical music section was going to be reduced to eight pages by January 1984, and further reduced to one or two pages by December 1984. In 1983, the average issue devoted 18 pages to classical music. On behalf of the parent company, ABC Leisure Magazines of ABC Publishing, William (Bill) Tynan explained that they were going to "blend lengthy classical features into its highly acclaimed
Musical America," a slim magazine sewn into the centerfold of selected issues of High Fidelity and available only by subscription.
Musical America, at the time, had a circulation of about 20,000 subscribers.
High Fidelity had a circulation of nearly 400,000. Tynan said that ''High Fidelity's'' average reader "no longer prefers the lengthy classical music articles that have appeared as part of the previous format." '
Founding of Opus''''' A year later (1984), many of those critics became the core review staff for a start-up classical record magazine
Opus, with
Jim Oestreich as editor. Historical Times, Inc., of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was the parent. '
Success of Opus''''' During the planning stage, Warren Bertram Syer, its publisher, designed a five-year business strategy, projecting non-profitability in years one through three, breakeven in year four, and profit in year five. It turned out that Opus became profitable in its fourth year. '''
Opus is acquired by Cowles Media''' In December 1987, Historical Times – the company that published
Opus – was acquired by larger firm,
Cowles Media Company. In June 1988, Cowles Media sold
Opus to
Capital Cities/ABC — which was still the parent of
High Fidelity as well as
Musical America. The critics and editors of
Opus, including
James Oestreich, all of whom had broken away from
High Fidelity in 1983, resigned again.
Cessation as a free-standing publication The 21st issue (March/April 1988) was the final free-standing publication of
Opus. Following the acquisition,
Opus was absorbed by
Musical America, debuting in its July 1988 issue. Theodore (Ted) W. Libbey, Jr. (born 1951), then the classical music editor of
High Fidelity, became senior editor of the new
Opus section. Patricia Reilly, who formerly edited Musical America's
Recordings in Review, became the associate editor of the new
Opus section.
Shirley Fleming (1929–2005) continued as editor-in-chief of
Musical America. The words "incorporating Opus" added to
Musical America's masthead was, according to
Allan Kozinn, somewhat misleading, given the resignation of its core staff and editors. == Purpose: classical music advocacy ==