Even more than in Europe, the live performance is paralyzed in the United States because of Covid-19. The most famous of its lyric theaters, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, is closed until December 31. At least… He nevertheless keeps in touch with his audience with events accessible via the Internet.
→ READ. The Metropolitan Opera, companion of confinement
From the start of the health crisis in the United States, its site offered open-access resumes of its broadcasts every evening in major cinemas around the world. And they attracted 15 million spectators! A success that encouraged new experiences, this time live, such as the “Gala At-Home” in April (750,000 spectators) and an unprecedented series of 12 concerts from unusual places across the globe.
Without public support
Unlike France where public subsidies are the norm, American operas are fully self-financing through sponsorship, ticketing and derivative products. ” The Met’s Strategy, confides Peter Gelb its managing director, is to continue to be an innovative artistic force, to demonstrate to our loyal supporters that a civilized society needs the performing arts and that the Met deserves their help. »
→ INVESTIGATION. Culture makes its digital revolution
The financial stakes are enormous, with the Met finding itself without its main source of income, the box office. Since the start of the crisis, opera has convinced 30,000 new donors, most of them attracted by the free distribution of its productions online. Seventy million dollars (59 million €) have thus been collected since the start of the crisis.
The future of personnel in question
For theater staff, however, nothing is certain. To ensure the future and keep the equipment in working order, and with a cumulative deficit of $ 100 million (€ 85 million), nearly 1,000 employees have been laid off, only their social security coverage being guaranteed. ” By caring for the future of the Met, we guarantee that of our employees, pleads Peter Gelb. Some continue to perform essential tasks, others benefit from unemployment insurance and federal government funds. We hope that the latter will extend these benefits. » The Met has hired lobbyists to fight on behalf of the arts sector and keep funding for its unemployed collaborators.
The series of 12 “Met Stars Live in Concert” represents a way to satisfy both its audience and the singers frustrated by the lack of contact with their fans. ” My artistic ideal, recalls Peter Gelb, is to bring musicians and spectators together. »Staggered until December 19 and accessible on the Internet for 12 days each, these concerts benefit from a prestigious poster and a high-quality technique, justifying the price of 20 dollars (17 €).
This Sunday August 16, the French tenor Roberto Alagna and his companion, the Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak, are gathered on the terrace of the Château de la Chèvre d’Or in Eze (Côte d’Azur): their recital is broadcast live, at the sunset (7 p.m.), French time …
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