Mad Scenes and Exit Arias: The Death of the New York City Opera and the Future of Opera, the Arts and Non-Profits in America

Heidi Waleson, opera critic for The Wall Street Journal and author of Mad Scenes and Exit Arias: The Death of the New York City Opera and the Future of Opera in America, will speak with broadcaster Naomi Lewin about how and why City Opera went bankrupt, and what that means in the greater scheme of arts and non-profit sustainability.

In October 2013, the arts world was rocked by the news that the New York City Opera — “the people’s opera” — had finally succumbed to financial hardship after 70 years in operation. In her new book Mad Scenes and Exit Arias, Heidi Waleson illustrates how City Opera’s demise was a harbinger of massive upheaval in the performing arts, and sounds a warning about how cultural institutions need to change in order to survive. Looking forward, Heidi also considers some better-managed, more visionary opera companies that have taken City Opera’s lessons to heart. At this event, Naomi Lewin will question Heidi Waleson about what went wrong at City Opera, how (and if) its death could have been averted and what arts organizations need to do to survive today.

A book signing follows the event.











When: Wed., Nov. 28, 2018 at 12:00 pm
Where: The 92nd Street Y, New York
1395 Lexington Ave.
212-415-5500
Price: $29.00
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Heidi Waleson, opera critic for The Wall Street Journal and author of Mad Scenes and Exit Arias: The Death of the New York City Opera and the Future of Opera in America, will speak with broadcaster Naomi Lewin about how and why City Opera went bankrupt, and what that means in the greater scheme of arts and non-profit sustainability.

In October 2013, the arts world was rocked by the news that the New York City Opera — “the people’s opera” — had finally succumbed to financial hardship after 70 years in operation. In her new book Mad Scenes and Exit Arias, Heidi Waleson illustrates how City Opera’s demise was a harbinger of massive upheaval in the performing arts, and sounds a warning about how cultural institutions need to change in order to survive. Looking forward, Heidi also considers some better-managed, more visionary opera companies that have taken City Opera’s lessons to heart. At this event, Naomi Lewin will question Heidi Waleson about what went wrong at City Opera, how (and if) its death could have been averted and what arts organizations need to do to survive today.

A book signing follows the event.

Buy tickets/get more info now