Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Has the Fat Lady Sung @ NYC Opera?

The New York City Opera locked out its union performers following a long Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service mediation. Much like the recent sports disputes, but on a much smaller scale, compensation is the sticking point. Until last year, the company was based at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, next door to the Metropolitan Opera. Founded in 1943, it has presented greats like Placido Domingo and Beverly Sills. But the company's budget this season is down 57 percent from two years earlier and the sides are apparently entrenched. Dealing with arts disputes can be emotional and tricky, but to see another storied company go under in this economy is sad, even if you aren't a fan. See Bloomberg story: http://bit.ly/A5CaU9