“Opera Australia may be forced to sell off one or both of its properties in Surry Hills and Alexandria to stave off the threat of bankruptcy caused by the COVID-19 crisis,” writes Nick Galvin in Monday’s (3/16) Sydney Morning Herald (Australia). “Chief executive Rory Jeffes revealed management had been in crisis talks to keep the company afloat after it announced it would cancel the remainder of its Sydney Summer season, including its flagship Opera on the Harbour event that was to open on March 27…. Today’s decision to cancel this year’s Opera On The Harbour production of La Traviata is a heavy blow for the company. It was to run for a month on the purpose-built stage at Mrs. Macquaries Point. Last year’s production of West Side Story drew 65,000 people and the outdoor series has generated about $66m in visitor spending since it began in 2012…. The option of selling off property … is ‘fairly likely,’ added Mr. Jeffes…. Mr. Jeffes and his team are also talking to the directors of OA’s Capital Fund … about accessing funds. He urged opera lovers who had already bought tickets to consider rebooking … or converting the purchase price to a donation rather than requesting a refund.”
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