SARATOGA SPRINGS — Opera Saratoga has announced the cancellation of the 2020 Summer Festival, originally scheduled to run from May 18- July 5, due to COVID-19.
For almost 60 years, Opera Saratoga has brought together some of the world’s most exciting operatic artists to appear alongside extraordinary emerging singers, creating an exceptional Festival every summer, showcasing operatic classics, contemporary American works, and concerts featuring art song, opera, and musical theater.
“As we have been monitoring the spread of COVID-19, it has become clear to us that proceeding with the Festival is no longer possible,” said Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson in a statement. “From a practical perspective, with Saratoga and much of the country essentially shut down, it has become impossible for us to continue building the sets and costumes for the opera productions that were to premiere at Opera Saratoga this summer. Our first responsibility must be the safety and well-being of our community, our audiences, our artists, and our staff. The entire Opera Saratoga family looks forward to sharing the joy and exhilaration of live opera and classical vocal music with our community when we know it is safe to do so again.”
Cancellation of the Summer Festival creates significant financial challenges for Opera Saratoga. Revenue during the spring and summer historically has totaled almost 70% of the company’s annual income. As the company works to raise the additional funds needed to bridge this difficult time, Edelson and the Board of Directors are committed to providing assistance to the over 100 artists, artisans, and technicians that were depending on the company for their livelihood this summer.
“COVID-19 has not only endangered the health and lives of millions around the world, it has hit the arts sector particularly hard. Those who work passionately on stage and behind the scenes are not only losing income - in many cases, they are losing health care, and have been out of work from the earliest public venue closings in early March,” Edelson said. ‘The degree to which we have the ability to pay our seasonal artists and staff this summer is currently being determined, but we owe it to them to provide whatever support we can.”
To that end, Opera Saratoga is asking everyone who has already purchased tickets to the 2020 Festival to consider donating these tickets to be used to support the artists and seasonal staff most directly impacted by the cancellation of the Festival.
Opera Saratoga will be contacting everyone who has already purchased tickets to the 2020 Festival to provide them with details about how they can convert their purchase into a tax-deductible donation; or, a full credit to their Opera Saratoga account for use on any future Festival ticket purchases - a value which will never expire. Ticket holders may also elect to receive a full refund. Please note that Opera Saratoga staff is currently operating remotely, so the company requests that patrons please not call the office at this time. Every ticket holder will be contacted personally over the next week, but the company asks for the public’s patience as there may be slight delays in response time while company staff responds to everyone personally.
Opera Saratoga, formerly known as Lake George Opera, began with a production of Die Fledermaus at the Diamond Point Theatre on July 5, 1962, playing to an audience of 230. The Company now calls Saratoga Springs home and performs for more than 25,000 people annually.
