Palm Beach Opera cuts Monday performances due to economic woes

By Lawrence A. Johnson

Anthony Roth Costanzo and Nadine Sierra starred in Palm Beach Opera's semi-staged performances of Gluck's "Orfeo ed Euridice" last season.

Palm Beach Opera is dropping the once-popular Monday matinee performances from its 2011-12 season, a drastic reduction of its schedule that company officials hope will head off a more serious financial crisis.

“Artistic quality is much more important than quantity, and this is a step in the right direction to adjust our productivity to what the market can bear in these times,” said general director Daniel Biaggi Wednesday in a released statement.

The move amounts to nearly a 25% slash of performances since the West Palm Beach company presents just four performances of three operas each season.

Attendance at the Monday matinees at the Kravis Center has dropped drastically in recent seasons from a high of 80% of capacity in 2007-2008 to just 45% in 2010-11.

Grappling with the current economic realities, the company changed its fourth opera production to an orchestra concert in 2010 and a semi-staged opera performance last season. The company opens its 50th season Dec. 16 with Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

Patrons who have already purchased subscriptions or single tickets for the Monday matinees will be given the opportunity to attend performances on a different day.  If suitable seating or dates are not available, patrons will be given a full refund. Call 561-833-7888 or go to pbopera.org

 

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Wed Sep 14, 2011
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