This isn’t rebellion. It’s entitlement theater. A board that doesn’t carry payroll, losses, or risk just voted to “leave” the entity paying the bills. That’s not courage. That’s denial with a press release. You don’t declare independence from your lifeboat while still standing in it. Opera is brutally expensive. The Kennedy Center absorbed WNO because it was broke, not because it lacked vibes. Demanding autonomy without capital isn’t liberation. It’s a slow-motion collapse dressed up as moral resistance. Independence requires money, governance, and risk tolerance. Until the opera can fund itself, this vote is just ideology trying to outvote arithmetic—and losing.
Having been in the chorus for community opera (VERY low budget) I know that serious opera is extremely expensive. Renting the Trump/Kennedy center and paying all the principals and crew has to be insane. The crew is probably union, too, and of course the orchestra is.
So how could an opera company possibly afford it unless they own the theater & the ground under it?
Fantastic breakdown of how financial realities crush ideological gestures. The distinction between legal ownership and percieved entitlement becomes crystal clear when you trace where the actual money flows. I've seen similar dynamics play out in smaller nonprofits where boards confuse advisory roles with operational control and it never ends wel. That $20M annual gap isn't gonna close itself with wishful donor assumptions.
For myself Im tired of being the “ SAP “ left holding the bag for another liberal group who expect John Q. Public to finance their failed , corrupt organization to achieve their illusions of solvency . The WASHINGTON OPERA COMPANY is not part of the Trump-Kennedy. Center , if is a non - profit that can’t even reach a break even point .
Radio Legend Paul Harvey would capture the audience with the usual targeted knee jerk reactions to topical news coverage, then hold you over a commercial to hear the, “Rest of the Story”.
How do the performers feel about this move? Sounds like they cut off their nose to spite their face.
If they violate a contract, sue them.
This isn’t rebellion. It’s entitlement theater. A board that doesn’t carry payroll, losses, or risk just voted to “leave” the entity paying the bills. That’s not courage. That’s denial with a press release. You don’t declare independence from your lifeboat while still standing in it. Opera is brutally expensive. The Kennedy Center absorbed WNO because it was broke, not because it lacked vibes. Demanding autonomy without capital isn’t liberation. It’s a slow-motion collapse dressed up as moral resistance. Independence requires money, governance, and risk tolerance. Until the opera can fund itself, this vote is just ideology trying to outvote arithmetic—and losing.
Superb journalism
No they just left another Trump Failed Business. 😂
Is that the fat lady I just heard singing for the WNO?
Having been in the chorus for community opera (VERY low budget) I know that serious opera is extremely expensive. Renting the Trump/Kennedy center and paying all the principals and crew has to be insane. The crew is probably union, too, and of course the orchestra is.
So how could an opera company possibly afford it unless they own the theater & the ground under it?
Fantastic breakdown of how financial realities crush ideological gestures. The distinction between legal ownership and percieved entitlement becomes crystal clear when you trace where the actual money flows. I've seen similar dynamics play out in smaller nonprofits where boards confuse advisory roles with operational control and it never ends wel. That $20M annual gap isn't gonna close itself with wishful donor assumptions.
Looks like we've gotten to the part of the opera where the fat lady sings.
Trump should not have put his name on center. That was performative posturing too, and Trump excels at that.
Truly Divine Comedy! 🤣
My catchphrase is “market floor tantrum.” Multiple generations of Westerners are about to receive an epic spanking.
For myself Im tired of being the “ SAP “ left holding the bag for another liberal group who expect John Q. Public to finance their failed , corrupt organization to achieve their illusions of solvency . The WASHINGTON OPERA COMPANY is not part of the Trump-Kennedy. Center , if is a non - profit that can’t even reach a break even point .
Radio Legend Paul Harvey would capture the audience with the usual targeted knee jerk reactions to topical news coverage, then hold you over a commercial to hear the, “Rest of the Story”.
It was always worth the wait!
So was this post, thank you.
OTOH Mr Harvey was the acknowledged premier vector of urban legend -- which did not detract from the fun.
Performative posturing positioned to politicize poltroons. Perpetually.
Sorry, I'm on an alliteration kick atm.
Who knew? What a wonderful piece to read to continue to show the buffoons for who they really are.