Virginia Opera takes action to ensure fiscal stability

Posted November 19, 2008

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NORFOLK, Va. – In response to additional decreased revenue caused by the weakened national and local economy, Virginia Opera is restructuring its budget and some operational elements to ensure immediate and future fiscal stability. The plan includes a reduction in general operating expenses, the reconfiguring of select educational programs, and adjustments to mainstage rehearsal schedules.

“While the show must go on, it would be irresponsible of us to pretend we can conduct business as usual,” says Gus Stuhlreyer, Virginia Opera’s general director and CEO. “We have taken a hard look at our operations, seriously weighed all the options, and are implementing a plan to bring our expenses in line with the revenue we can realistically expect from ticket sales and contributions until the economy gets back on its feet.”

In addition to drop-offs in individual and corporate giving, soft revenue from statewide ticket sales this season has resulted in decreased income at Virginia Opera, if not attendance. Even though October’s season-opener – “Il Trovatore” – netted fewer dollars than did “Tales of Hoffmann” around the same time last year, it managed to draw larger audiences. “People still want to come to the Opera,” explains Stuhlreyer, “but what we are seeing is that many are choosing seats in lower-priced sections this time around, and we have to adjust for that.”

“Our supporters in particular,” he continues, “want to know that we are making the best use of every contributed dollar, especially during these tough economic times when we are asking for more help than ever. We owe it to them – and to our audiences – to continue adapting responsibly so we can meet the challenges of the current economy, prepare for the future, and preserve the quality of our vocal talent.”

In 2006, Virginia Opera began planning a Norfolk performance schedule featuring a single opening weekend performance for each opera on a Saturday night at the Harrison Opera House, rather than the current Friday evening and Sunday matinee performances. The new schedule, which includes the traditional Wednesday, Friday and Sunday performances after opening weekend, begins next fall during the company’s 35th Anniversary Season that was announced last week.

 “Aside from patron demand for a Saturday performance,” says Stuhlreyer, “we took this route because it was fiscally the right choice to make at the time, and that is even more the case now. Next season, we can open our doors to completely new audiences on Saturdays while still performing on days of the week to which our current patrons are accustomed. We need all the new opera lovers we can get.”

Virginia Opera also returns to the newly renovated, state-of-the-art Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage in Richmond, Va. next season. The company performed regularly at the venue, known at the time as the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts, until restoration work began in 2004. Since then, performances have been held at the Landmark Theater.

“This budget restructuring is how we are addressing expenses,” says Stuhlreyer. “On the revenue side, we are working to get people subscribed to the upcoming season before the end of the year – something that benefits both them and us. We are also appealing to our local communities for their support through new, increased and continuing contributions."

New subscribers to Virginia Opera’s 2009-2010 season who sign up before Dec. 31 will be exempt from price increases planned for next season, so long as they also subscribe to three operas from this season, which includes the current production of “The Elixir of Love”, followed early next year by “Tosca” and “The Barber of Seville”. Operas of the upcoming season are “La Bohème”, “The Daughter of the Regiment”, “Don Giovanni”, and “Porgy and Bess”. The deadline for current subscribers to receive the same offer is Jan. 30, 2009.

Subscriptions are available in Norfolk and Richmond by calling Virginia Opera’s Box Office at 866-OPERA-VA. Subscriptions in Fairfax will be made available by George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, which may be reached at 703-993-ARTS. More details are available online at vaopera.org.

Donations to the opera may be made online at vaopera.org/donate, or by calling 757-627-9545 ext. 3318 in Hampton Roads, 804-644-8168 ext. 3390 in Central Virginia, or 866-673-7282 ext. 3372 in Northern Virginia.

Media may contact Public Relations Director Stephen J. Baker for more information at 757-627-9545 ext. 3323, or via e-mail at press@vaopera.org.

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