Opera companies must reclaim their digital infrastructure from Big Tech platforms by utilizing artificial intelligence to build direct, institution-owned relationships with their local communities and audiences.

Key Points

• OPERA America data shows that large opera companies have seen operating expenses nearly double since 1999 while production volume has declined by approximately one-third.
• Box office income now accounts for only 12% to 20% of total revenue, down from 41% in the late 1990s.
• Generative AI could reduce the high costs of physical stage sets by enabling immersive, real-time digital environments that respond to performers.
• Institutions can develop "digital twins"—specialized AI models trained on company archives—to facilitate interactive, personalized dialogues with potential patrons.
• Owning digital infrastructure allows arts organizations to bypass platform algorithms that prioritize engagement metrics over meaningful civic and cultural connections.

Why it Matters

By building proprietary AI-driven infrastructure, opera companies can stop renting their audience relationships from third-party platforms and re-establish themselves as essential civic institutions. This shift allows organizations to protect their unique human-centric value proposition while effectively navigating a digital landscape increasingly saturated with synthetic content.