Baltimore Opera Seeks Chapter 11 Protection

[GoddessOfGuinness]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-te.to.opera09dec09,0,685458.story

After 58 years and more than 200 productions, the Baltimore Opera Company will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy-law protection today amid dwindling ticket sales and contributions.

The remaining two productions of the 2008-2009 season, Rossini's The Barber of Seville and Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, have been canceled. Ticket-holders will not receive refunds. Singers engaged for next season are being released from their contracts, but the company plans to continue fundraising in an effort to resume productions in the future.

Baltimore Chamber Orchestra has cancelled January performances and National Chamber Orchestra (one of my bread & butter gigs) has cancelled a February concert opera performance of Carmen.

And this part of the country is better off than many other places right now. Tougher times ahead, I'm afraid...

[tjwmason]

1. Is there any form of public support for opera companies in the U.S.?

I know that the major British companies (certainly the Royal Opera and English National Opera) get significant support which can help dramatically in these straightened times.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

2. Unfortunately, because government subsidies for the Arts are limited...

Opera companies, as well as other performing groups, already rely heavily on public donations. With the current state of financial affairs being what it is, those donations are shrinking.

These days I'm hoping that I can successfully shift my career focus to smaller ensembles with a cheaper ticket price. I'm afraid large orchestras and Opera companies are going to be folding left and right over the next few years. :(