New York's Opera board supports the move of GM George Steel

By Marc Castro

Sep 09, 2013 10:53 AM EDT

General Manager George Steel received backing from the New York City Opera board of trustees after he announced the company's need for USD7 million this month or the opera to be held this year would be the only one for the season.

The members of the orchestra though have called for the resignation of Steel as artistic director upon his appointment back in February 2009. According to Gail Kruvand through an email, the chairwoman of the orchestra's negotiating committee, the opera 'finds itself on the brink of total fiscal failure.'

A couple of years ago, Steel managed the 'dismembering' of the neighbor of the Metropolitan Opera. He had slashed productions as well as moved the opera from its Lincoln Center as cost-cutting measures. 

Kruvand said, "The precipitous move from Lincoln Center in 2011 alienated patrons and audience members alike."

The USD7 million requirement of the New York City Opera for this month is seven times the 2011 to 2012 season ticket sales. 

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