With the current U.S. recession, there has been less and less funding for the arts each year. The more classical disciplines, such as dance or theater, have been facing even more severe cuts. Opera is no exception from this lack of funding.
In “City Opera Takes What Is Expected to Be a Final Bow,” New York City Opera might have just ended its career with its final performance on Saturday night. There has no longer been a deus ex machina that has always saved the company in times of need this time. If the company doesn’t raise $7 million by Monday, it will be forced to shut down due to bankruptcy. City Opera’s board began to file for bankruptcy on Thursday if they did not meet that requirement. Going into the weekend, the company only raised a quarter of what was needed. Thus, the Saturday performance of “Anna Nicole” would probably be the last performance ever.
The company has faced financial troubles for many years, forcing it to raise its endowment. The financial issue became so bad that the company had to leave the Lincoln Center in 2011 and ended up traveling from place to place. It also cut back on how many operas were performed. It gave 115 performances a decade ago to just 16 last year.
Honestly, I never went to an opera nor listened to any so I cannot say I am extremely devastated over this. However, I am sad about the fact that in general, many places providing art for the public has to close because of financial troubles. People get little art in their lives as it is. If this keeps up, soon we may not be able to see any ballets or shows anymore. Art is a creative escape from all the math and science we face everyday, so if this company is closing, many more will probably soon follow and we won’t be able to enjoy art as much. Just this year I saw three wonderful shows and to think that those could also be gone at any time is truly saddening.
Cooper, Michael. “City Opera Takes What Is Expected to Be a Final Bow.” New York Times. The New York Times Company, 29 Sept. 2013. Web. 29 Sept. 2013.
The financial troubles that City Opera is going through is devastating but, at the same time, expected. I find that art is considered a luxury, especially during times of financial uncertainty or collapse. After the recession, going to see a musical, an opera, or a museum is not the first idea that pops up in a financially-struggling person’s mind. And the fact that so many of these places are closing down is quite sad. Many people couldn’t experience the wonder of going to these performances and, if the places close, they truly can’t in the most permanent sense of it.
I always think back to “starving artists” when I think about art and culture. It’s hard to find money in this career or line of work, so to me, it isn’t a big surprise. It is definitely devastating to hear this piece of news, for I’ve always wanted to watch an opera, but never really had the money for it. Many people don’t see art as a necessity to life, so they take for granted the possibility of watching operas, musicals, and plays. We all recently have seen shows and I have to say, they were incredibly enjoyable, and to be honest, if our school didn’t require me to go watch them, I may not have tried so hard to find a good show to watch. After watching Cinderella on Broadway though, I’m hooked. I think people should really give it a try because experiencing the arts is something that is truly wonderful.
Its amazing to even think that the arts can be gone tomorrow. The arts have existed since history began, and it is a priceless aspect in our lives now, that I would be incredibly saddened if it really disappears. It is scary to think of describing my experiences of the arts to the future generations and them not ever knowing of the awesome power behind the arts.
I am truly afraid of what will happen to the arts in the future. These NYT Art Reviews are really opening up my eyes to what is actually happening to the art world, not just the music industry.
I agree with what everyone else has said. Arts used to be a predominant aspect of culture and now it is slowly diminishing. After seeing both Metamorphosis and Romeo and Juliet, I have come to enjoying art more just like you. This also ties in with how art is related to business. There are not enough demanders for the supply of making opera productions therefore, New York City Opera must resort to closing down as unfortunate as that sounds. I also find it funny how you mentioned that “art is a creative escape from all the math and science we face everyday.” I love science so it is basically my form of escape!
It is sad that art has to close down due to financial troubles. I don’t go to many shows or plays and I have never gone to an opera but I still would not want any art theater to shut down. The opera closing down is a good example of how there is not much money in art and art cannot survive in this world without business. It is hard to find art in this day and age without business tied into it to keep it from going bankrupt like the New York City Opera. It is sad that art must close if the business cannot keep up but it’s the truth in our time.
Wow, I did not expect the financial problems to come to this. I am very disappointed that the arts are being highly affected by this recession. But then again, the arts most likely would be the first area to be cut down since it is not a necessity to living. I feel strongly about this crisis because I have been attending several forms of dance and musical performances since high school and I find that the arts are like an ailment to emotional stress. Despite the fact that I had so much school work to finish, I would go to performances with my friends and just completely forget about my worries. Although the arts are not directly needed for our survival, I believe that these troubling times are when the arts can help many. It is too bad that art today comes with a price. What happened to the good old days when Van Gogh painted just because he wanted to be Van Gogh?
This came as a surprise to me. I was not aware of the NYC Opera seemingly needing to shut down. I’m pretty disappointed to see this happen as I consider myself as someone greatly concerned with the history behind things-arts being at the front burner of that quality. It really saddens me to see an art form such as opera that is rooted so deeply into the history of our society “dying out” while the Justin Beibers of the world are thriving and in high demand. You may say that it’s a sign of the time, but if that’s so, I fear for the future. Sure, the economic times are tough and funding for virtually everything is being cut left and right, but we have to understand and put a value to the things that are truly important in life.
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Ralph S.
This came as a surprise to me. I was not aware of the NYC Opera seemingly needing to shut down. I’m pretty disappointed to see this happen as I consider myself as someone greatly concerned with the history behind things-arts being at the front burner of that quality. It really saddens me to see an art form such as opera that is rooted so deeply into the history of our society “dying out” while the Justin Beibers of the world are thriving and in high demand. You may say that it’s a sign of the time, but if that’s so, I fear for the future. Sure, the economic times are tough and funding for virtually everything is being cut left and right, but we have to understand and put a value to the things that are truly important in life.
News You Can Use
Ralph S.