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LA Opera gets $14 million loan
The LA County Board of Supervisors has approved a $14 million loan to the Los Angeles Opera. Overrun by costs associated with insufficient financial planning and an ambitious production of Wagner's "Ring Cycle," the Opera will remain at the Music Center under new lease terms. What does the loan portend for Southern California arts organizations? Should the Opera have been left to market forces, or are the Supervisors right to commit public resources to the arts?
The LA County Board of Supervisors has approved a $14 million loan to the Los Angeles Opera. Overrun by costs associated with insufficient financial planning and an ambitious production of Wagner's "Ring Cycle," the Opera will remain at the Music Center under new lease terms. What does the loan portend for Southern California arts organizations? Should the Opera have been left to market forces, or are the Supervisors right to commit public resources to the arts?
Guests:
Stephen Rountree, Chief Operating Officer, L.A. Opera, President and CEO, Music Center
Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles County Supervisor (3rd District)