Is opera actually dying, or is the business model simply stuck in the digital dark ages? In this episode of The Offstage Mic, Aubrey Bergauer sits down with Dr. Caitlin Vincent, author of 'Opera Wars', to dismantle the narrative that the art form is fading. Instead, they look at the hard data: while public demand for live culture remains high, the structural systems—from hiring practices to financial management—are faltering.

This episode is for arts administrators, executive leaders, and creators across all disciplines who are tired of 'gut instinct' management and ready for data-backed change. You’ll learn how gender bias is baked into repertoire selection, why the 'artistic genius' trope protects toxic behavior, and why every artistic decision must be viewed as a commercial one to ensure survival.

Sponsors:

Bolero: https://hellobolero.com/changingthenarrative

EvolvArts: https://evolvarts.com

Morreale Digital: https://morreale.ca/podcast

Sources:

The Conversation: Opera is not dying – but it needs a second act for the streaming era https://theconversation.com/opera-is-not-dying-but-it-needs-a-second-act-for-the-streaming-era-271376

Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society: Financial Headwinds in the Performing Arts: Evidence from United States Opera, 2005–2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10632921.2025.2596078

Caitlin Vincent: Opera Wars https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Opera-Wars/Caitlin-Vincent/9781668084069