The sixty eight year old instituion that has brought the US the likes of Placido Domingo is a bit short in the pocket. Not unlike all entertainment ventures the Opera has felt the pinch as the highbrow set gets sent to jail for ponzie schemes and the like. Im generalilzing of course there are all types of Opera fans but unfortunatly the NYO has been running at a deficit for far too long.
Not unlikethe Symphony the Oprah has had to tighten the purse strings and the players are protesting. These people are union and theyre going to protest loud and proud of course.
The new contract would greatly impact the health benefits of the chorus and not have the appropriate promised work weeks. Why this sounds like every other business in America, doesnt it?
City Opera spokeswoman Maggie McKeon says the company is simply executing a new strategy to reverse a decade of deficits.
There will be only three or four productions this year- and with a protesting chorus it could fall rather quiet.
It aint over til the Fat Lady Sings, sorry I couldnt resisit.