L'Amore Infranto: The Sustainability of Opera in America Past 2024
Disciplines
Musicology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
In our lifetime, we may witness the death of an art form in America. Opera is difficult to sustain if sufficient rewards are not earned after thousands of dollars are spent on one production. Many regional opera houses in America have found it difficult to fill seats after COVID-19, and they struggle to set up a system of alternative entertainment (and alternative funds), as San Francisco and the Met have done. Even then, are those funds sustainable? My research project will address the lives of the thousands of people who have dedicated their lives to the opera industry but face an uncertain and seemingly bleak future. By analyzing attendance statistics for opera houses, conducting interviews with artists, and exploring historical context, I aim to uncover whether or not this expensive form of art can survive in the changing cultural landscape of America. The research and presentation will cover several areas of focus, including how social media, COVID-19, and the lack of government funding have affected the industry. My project references multiple pieces of scholarly writing, credible articles, and comprehensive data, some of which I have acquired through the Atlanta History Center. The project’s goal is to produce a valuable resource for struggling opera houses looking for industry insights that will improve their way forward. Ideally, the project will aid in reinforcing the longevity of opera in the United States. Opera students, patrons, and nearly all community members in the American operatic industry will be able to benefit from the information and insights presented in the project, and the transmission of this project in presentation form may bring a wider attention to career-jeopardizing issues within the operatic realm.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
COTA - Music
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Edward Eanes
L'Amore Infranto: The Sustainability of Opera in America Past 2024
In our lifetime, we may witness the death of an art form in America. Opera is difficult to sustain if sufficient rewards are not earned after thousands of dollars are spent on one production. Many regional opera houses in America have found it difficult to fill seats after COVID-19, and they struggle to set up a system of alternative entertainment (and alternative funds), as San Francisco and the Met have done. Even then, are those funds sustainable? My research project will address the lives of the thousands of people who have dedicated their lives to the opera industry but face an uncertain and seemingly bleak future. By analyzing attendance statistics for opera houses, conducting interviews with artists, and exploring historical context, I aim to uncover whether or not this expensive form of art can survive in the changing cultural landscape of America. The research and presentation will cover several areas of focus, including how social media, COVID-19, and the lack of government funding have affected the industry. My project references multiple pieces of scholarly writing, credible articles, and comprehensive data, some of which I have acquired through the Atlanta History Center. The project’s goal is to produce a valuable resource for struggling opera houses looking for industry insights that will improve their way forward. Ideally, the project will aid in reinforcing the longevity of opera in the United States. Opera students, patrons, and nearly all community members in the American operatic industry will be able to benefit from the information and insights presented in the project, and the transmission of this project in presentation form may bring a wider attention to career-jeopardizing issues within the operatic realm.