Opera Goes Back To Its Patron Roots

In Europe, where recent arts tradition has the state responsible for funding most of the cost of highculture, a shift is taking place. “Opera, the most expensive of art forms, is increasingly turning the clock back a couple of centuries and looking to individuals for patronage. Corporate sponsorship is becoming elusive and is likely to remain so at least until the next boom economy. At Covent Garden, about half the annual contributions from well-wishers now come from private patrons…”