Writer: Eleana Teran
2 min read May 2023— Philadelphia’s reputation as an arts and culture hub has led to great innovations across the region’s creative community. Opera Philadelphia has demonstrated its creative energy with its new staging of Puccini’s classic La bohème — which presents the opera’s acts in reverse order. Directed by Yuval Sharon, the new and experimental production will run until May 7.
The arts play a crucial role in the region’s economy, significantly contributing to local commerce. As reported by Americans for the Arts, the industry attracts large audiences and stimulates event-related spending beyond ticket costs, ultimately benefiting small and local businesses. The arts industry in Pennsylvania contributes 3.5% of the state’s GDP and employs 175,787 people, according to the latest data. The revenue generated by the arts surpasses that of other prominent industries, including mining and education services. Most importantly, a majority of Americans agree that the arts bring profound meaning to our lives, with 81% acknowledging the arts as a “positive experience in the world.” Additionally, three-quarters of Americans (72%) reported attendance at an art event within the past year of the survey, demonstrating appreciation and engagement with artistic experiences.
As the pandemic unfolded, Opera Philadelphia transitioned from a traditionally rooted classical arts organization to a cutting-edge digital film production. Now, as they reemerge from the pandemic, Opera Philadelphia’s 2022-2023 Season closes with this bold staging. Alongside a full season of live performances, the organization will persist in streaming original programs on the Opera Philadelphia Channel, praised by The New Yorker as “one of the most successful pandemic pivots among American opera presenters.”
With this focus, Opera Philadelphia’s innovative approach to La bohème showcases the company’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of the art form while honoring its roots. The manipulation of time and narrative presents an unusual challenge for the production and cast, who must navigate the unique storytelling structure while maintaining the integrity of the original music.
The organization’s ability to adapt during the pandemic generated much-needed revenue, helping to sustain the arts sector at a time when many core industries were struggling. Data released by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows that while the total economic value added by arts and cultural industries grew by 13.7% from 2020 to 2021, several core arts industries, including independent artists, performing arts organizations and arts-related construction, did not return to pre-pandemic production levels. Despite these setbacks, the overall arts economy in 2021 represented 4.4% of GDP, a record of just over $1 trillion.
Opera Philadelphia’s resilience during this period contributed to the industry’s growth and played a vital role in breaking barriers for women, minorities and other underrepresented groups in opera productions. According to the Pew Trust, these changes became more significant amid the racial injustice awakening.
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