Subject: Re: Opera/Classical Music too expensive?
From: "Jennifer L. Fretwell"
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

> I'm sure the production costs for large-scale opera are
> mind-boggling, but I do wish that more effort was made
> to make opera accessible to everyone who wants to see
> it - not just people that can afford to plunk down
> about $100 a performance.


I recently read an article regarding the Pittsburgh Opera which stated that
it cost an average of $1.2 million dollars to put on an opera here. It's a
professional, fairly respectable opera company, with many internationally
known guest artists. I would imagine it costs even more to put on an opera
in cities like New York.

The ticket prices for the Pittsburgh Opera are very reasonable. I only know
subscription prices but a season subscription (four operas) can be had for
as little as $14 per person per performance. I have orchestra side seats
which are pretty close to the stage with an unobstructed view and my
subscription works out to $20 per person per performance for the matinee -
really a bargain! Of course there are also more expensive seats - I think
the most expensive ones for the Pittsurgh Opera are around $80.

Jennifer Fretwell
mezzo-soprano-at-mindspring.com