ARIA SERIOUS?

The New York Times ran this article on the front page of the Arts Section this morning. It is a close and rather depressing look at the current state of affairs facing our beloved "people's opera." As usual, I hate sharing this type of news, but I also know that ignoring it does not make it go away. Sadder still is that NYCO is no different than dozens of others art institutions currently fighting for survival in this economy. Go do your part. Support your local arts community this weekend and see a show or visit a museum. You can read the article here . - Edward

Bloomberg reports that a strike is looming for New York City Opera later this year as general director George Steel is seeking concessions with the American Guild of Musical Artists. Already having borrowed $24 million from its endowment to meet payroll and other operating expenses, this news does not bode will for the people's opera company. We'll keep you posted (and keep our fingers crossed for the best). You can read the entire article here . - Edward

Bloomberg has some commentary on the announcement last week by NYCO that it has eaten much of its endowment in an effort to stay afloat. The news is not good as it goes on to question the fundraising abilities of newly appointed leader George Steel. You can read the commentary for yourself here . We're hoping for the best. - Edward

New York City Opera announced their upcoming season yesterday, after essentially shutting down this year amidst the financial crisis and their leadership debacle . The just announced 2009-2010 season, which features five operas, includes a modern piece: Hugo Weisgall's Esther , two standards: Madama Butterfly and Don Giovani , an early work: Handel's Partenope and one rarely performed work: Chabrier's Étoile . An exciting season if you ask me and even more exciting; finally able to write some good news about a Company we love dearly. You can read the entire New York Times article about this here . -- Edward.

Just so we're not left out in the cold, George "Colbert" Steele is the new NYCO head, leaving his post at Dallas Opera after a four month stint. You can read the NY Times article here but props to the every lovely Opera Chic who had it first, as is typical... And I can't be the only one that thinks he looks like Stephen Colbert... -- Edward

New York Magazine has taken a close look at New York City Opera's current state of affairs and offers some surprisingly simple and yet very bold suggestions on how to cure the ailing Company. You can read the article here . Speaking of opera and New York, Anthony Amato talks about why decided to close his lovely shoebox of an opera company , the only one we know of that sells homemade brownies at intermission (which makes it a company we love dearly and earns them... wait for it... brownie points). -- Edward

The New York Times this morning takes a close look at NYCO's roadmap for the future as it is being laid out by turnaround specialist Michael K. Kaiser. The article goes onto look at some of the faults that lead to the situation the Company is currently in. You can read the article for yourself, here . -- Edward

It seems the relationship between Gerard Mortier and NYCO is over before it really began. The New York Times is reporting Mortier has resigned from his post at NYCO citing an insufficient budget to produce the meaningful slate of productions he set out to do. It seems the financial crisis has taken another toll, although this one is merely stunned and not dead. The Company is also making changes to next season's repertoire . The homeless Company was performing an abridged season while its theatre was undergoing renovation. Renovation continues and NYCO will return, but this news could not have come at a worse time. But it is not a suprise as there had been chatter for some time now that the honeymoon period was over. -- Edward

New York City Opera announced yesterday that it has commissioned Philip Glass to compose a new opera based on the life of Walt Disney. The opera, The Perfect American , is based on Austrian writer Peter Stephan Jungk's novel "Der Konig von Amerika" where a fictional cartoonist recounts the final days of Disney's life. The opera is scheduled to open NYCO's 2012-2013 season, and will honor Glass's 75th birthday. Expect evening gowns and black tie, all topped of with Mickey Mouse hats on opening night. - Edward