Abstract

The Future of Opera in America

The announcement, on March 24, by the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Opera Co. that it is sustaining a loss of $550,000 for the current season, despite the voluntary contribution by artists and administrative staff of 10 per cent of their salaries, and that that loss will wipe out the entire capital of the opera company, makes the situation of the Metropolitan extremely critical. Whether it will be able to continue for another season depends upon whether the additional necessary funds can be obtained and vital savings made in management, together with further cuts in salaries. The task of the directors will not be made easier by the high income taxes provided in the pending tax bill, since it is from the very rich that the opera is chiefly supported and the huge deficits are met.