Baltimore Opera Is Going Bust

On Tuesday, the Baltimore Opera House filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection, after 58 years of operations.

Shrinking box office receipts and donations have left the opera in a tough spot. Not only have the last two production runs of the season been canceled, but the tickets won't be refunded. As if that isn't enough, as of now, several runs for next year have been canceled as well.

As recently as November, the organization was still fighting for survival. But on December 4, the board finally agreed it was time to take drastic measures. Part of the move is a hope that patrons will stand up to help the opera bounce back. Donations account for about half the funds needed for the Baltimore Opera to operate.

According to the Washington Post, the Baltimore Opera has operated on a yearly budget of $6 million, and has amassed a deficit of over $800,000. The Baltimore Opera is currently the most public collapse in the fine arts, but this may be far from the last we hear of an opera house going bust.