Thinking on friends.

It’s been a tough couple of weeks in the world of opera.   In my last post I referenced the challenges of New York City Opera and this is only the tip of the iceberg.  Early in the week, we heard that our friends in Orange County, California, at Opera Pacific had decided they had no choice but to close down shop.  Basta finita.  Done.  A company folded.

A little later we heard that Baltimore Opera has decided it doesn’t have the financial resources to finish the current season.  Two weeks ago Michigan Opera Theatre decided not to go through with one of this season’s productions.  Both Los Angeles and Washington are looking at not presenting Wagner’s Ring Cycle as planned.

I’ve heard from several singers and agents about companies around the world shortening their seasons, canceling productions, canceling contracts, etc.  Almost to a one, the endowments of performing arts companies have lost –like your and my retirement accounts — anywhere from 25 to 40% of their endowments.

Times are tough and, more importantly, lives are being changed as artists with families are learning that a significant portion of their income for the year is gone despite signed contracts.  In my discussions with colleagues around the country, it is clear that the situation is going to get worse before it begins to get better.

Ironically, the attendance of Madame Butterfly was the highest in recent memory.  To me this suggests two things: that the Utah economy is not quite as volatile as the rest of the country and; that in difficult times, the arts are needed more than ever.  To the former, the talking heads we watch on the television tell us that while our local economy is not as mercurial that we haven’t seen the worst yet.  It’s quite possible that the current economic challenges will require some sort of change to our company and what we can offer you.  To the latter, we must all take advantage of the trove of artistic experiences we have in Utah.  We are positively rich in artistic opportunities and, as the challenge before us grows, we can and must connect with the people around us through experiences that allow us to collectively rise above the mundane realities that affect us making us all stronger to deal with the challenges we face together.  In doing this, we add richness and power to our own lives while ensuring that such experiences will continue to be available to us and the children of the future.

Christopher

“Music makes better people.”  Plato