US Leading Opera Houses Also Face Recession... Ticket Revenue Decreases by Over 50 Billion Won

Season Performances Reduced by 10% Amid Recession Concerns
Focus on Modern Opera Over Classical Opera

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Metropolitan Opera House (Met), the representative American opera theater known as the 'dream stage' for opera singers worldwide, has seen its ticket revenue decrease by more than 50 billion Korean won due to the pandemic and recession concerns.

Accordingly, the Met, facing the worst recession in its 140-year history, announced plans to cut costs. It intends to reduce next season's performances by 10% and attract audiences by showcasing more contemporary opera works rather than classical ones.

◆ Ticket Revenue Plummets... Contemporary Operas Sell Out

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 26th (local time), the Met announced major changes due to cash shortages and poor ticket sales. Peter Gelb, the general manager who has led the Met since 2006, stated that although the Met held 215 performances this season, it will reduce them by nearly 10% and present contemporary opera works every season.

The Met made this decision because of revenue issues. During the COVID-19 period, the theater was closed, and orchestra members, choir members, and staff were temporarily laid off, causing difficulties. Although it has entered the post-COVID era, ticket revenue from in-person and live performances last season decreased by more than $40 million (approximately 51 billion KRW) compared to pre-pandemic levels. The theater's paid attendance rate also dropped from 73% to 61%.

Exterior of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, USA (Photo by Metropolitan Opera House SNS)

Next year, the Met plans to present American opera composer Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking and American composer Anthony Davis's The Life and Times of Malcolm X. Yannick N?zet-S?guin, the Met's music director, said, "Opera must reflect the era we live in," adding, "We have an obligation to create new works. Through this, people can recognize themselves and reality."

The NYT described the Met's decision as a "turnaround." It reported, "The Met, which has avoided new works for decades assuming conservative audiences would prefer classic pieces like Giacomo Puccini's La Boh?me and Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, choosing contemporary opera is a remarkable reversal."

Performance scene of 'The Hours' by American contemporary composer Kevin Putz [Image source=AP News]

In this context, contemporary operas recently presented by the Met have gained popularity. Last season's Fire Shut Up in My Bones by Grammy-winning jazz musician Terence Blanchard and this season's The Hours by contemporary American composer Kevin Puts sold out. In contrast, Verdi's Don Carlo closed this month with only a 40% attendance rate. Contemporary works have been favored over classical ones by audiences.

◆ US Theater Industry 'Saddened' by Recession Concerns

The Met's strategy to feature contemporary operas stems from concerns about a US recession. Until now, revenue losses were offset by donations, but ongoing recession fears have made even that difficult. The NYT reported that the Met secured $150 million in promised donations during the pandemic. General Manager Gelb said, "When the economy shakes, major donors also waver."

The NYT explained that federal government support provided during the pandemic has effectively disappeared.

Financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 impact and recession concerns are not unique to the Met, which has an annual budget exceeding $300 million. The Portland Opera reduced staff and cut the number of operas per season from six pre-pandemic to three. The Philadelphia Orchestra's paid attendance rate dropped from 66% pre-pandemic to 47% this fall. Ohio's Dayton Contemporary Dance Company even canceled performances this month due to rising production costs and weak demand.

Simon Woods, president of the US Orchestra Association, said, "We still live in a time of tremendous uncertainty and anxiety," adding, "The need to build new audiences has become more urgent than ever."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.