New York City Opera Fails At Kickstarter, Claims Bankruptcy

The New York City Opera was in financial trouble when it opened a Kickstarter campaign with the hopes of raising $1 million. The campaign started last month and ended on September 30.

Unfortunately the Opera’s Kickstarter page managed to rack up just $300,000 of its $1 million goal.

Because it refused to pick up big-time donors the Opera’s board and management have been forced to file for bankruptcy.

On the very Kickstarter page that failed to raise the funds the group writes:

“New York City Opera did not achieve the goal of its emergency appeal… [We] will begin the necessary financial and operational steps to wind down the Company including initiating the Chapter 11 process.”

The failed Kickstarter campaign was really the last nail in the proverbial coffin for the New York City Opera which raised just $2 million of the $7 million required. $7 million was needed to stay open for the 2013-2014 season.

The group originally hoped to raise $13 million so its doors would remain open through the 2014-2015 season.

The last performance at the New York City Opera took place on September 28, 2013. That performance was Mark-Anthony Turnage’s “Anna Nicole” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music

Former New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia called the troupe the “The People’s Opera” but this time around it doesn’t look like the people were willing to throw their hard earned money into the organization.

The future plans for the New York City Opera are not known at this time. Perhaps once out of bankruptcy a leaner Opera house will emerge and roar back better than ever.

Do you think it’s a shame that such a storied performance house in New York City was forced to close over lack of funds?