Sad news. I’ve always enjoyed the NYC Opera productions I have seen on PBS. I don’t go to the opera anymore here in Houston. My wife and I were season ticket holders for several years. The expense was one reason we stopped going. The main reason was the “Eurotrash” style of production that seems to afflict every opera house these days.
Finally someone else saying what I believe.. I'm not at all happy about the rising prices, but what we have been getting, isn't worth it..
I live near a medium size city (Louisville, KY), and the local opera organization (Kentucky Opera Association) does a good job of putting on decent productions at a reasonable price. My daughter, I, and couple of friends of mine just attended a production of La Boheme for $63 a head, and that was the highest price for a ticket. It's not the Met, and there are only three operas per year, but it is pretty darn good.
I used to enjoy the Opera Company of Boston when it was under Sarah Caldwell. Some excellent (and daring) productions, especially when compared with the staid old MET. Sort of similar to the NYC Opera I guess.
Now, being kind of far away from the cities, I enjoy opera on DVD and don't feel too bad when a Eurotrash clinker comes in the mail. Other than that, we have good access to excellent chamber music performances and an occasional trip to Boston for the Boston Early Music Festival and the like.
I'm not an opera goer. What's “Eurotrash” style?