Metropolitan Opera in New York enters a partnership with Saudi Arabia to strengthen its financially unstable condition
The Metropolitan Opera, the largest performing arts organization in the United States, has announced a significant five-year partnership with Saudi Arabia. This collaboration, set to commence in February 2028, aims to alleviate the Met's financial strains, which are the worst in over a century.
Opera, known for its grandeur, is the most expensive of all performing arts due to the requirement for a full-time orchestra, singers, and dancers. The Met, despite its prestigious status, receives minimal government support compared to European counterparts like the Paris Opera or La Scala. In the US, Washington allocates approximately $150 million annually to the arts, less than half the Met's operating budget. As a result, the Met relies heavily on private donations and ticket revenue, receiving only about $100,000 from the US government.
The agreement between the Met and Saudi Arabia will see the Met stage three weeks of performances annually in the kingdom for five years. This partnership is expected to generate millions for the Met, whose annual budget exceeds $300 million. The collaboration will also include the provision of training for aspiring Saudi opera singers, composers, directors, designers, theatre artisans, and technicians.
In addition, the Met will commission a new opera as part of this collaboration. Peter Gelb, the Met's General Manager, described the agreement as "mutually beneficial", allowing the Met to perform in the kingdom and help train Saudi talent. Mr. Gelb welcomed Riyadh's willingness to back the arts, as philanthropic priorities in the US are shifting.
Despite the potential for support from American billionaires like Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk, Mr. Gelb did not approach them due to the arts being "less of a priority in their philanthropy". Mr. Gelb stated that donations alone are insufficient to sustain the Met, due to increased costs from the pandemic. He expressed his view that the arts represent a very important part of society.
The Saudi government has been reaching out to Western cultural institutions, including the Met, as part of a broader initiative to enhance lifestyle offerings and prepare for the opening of a new opera house in Riyadh in 2028. Mr. Gelb described the agreement as a significant step forward in the Met's efforts to secure its financial future.
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