CNN just did a story on the Opera Company of Brooklyn and its founder, Jay Meetze, who is attempting to build a new generation of opera-lovers by drastically lowering ticket prices and holding events outside traditional venues. Sound familiar?

It turns out that appreciating opera requires a certain amount of knowledge and skill, familiarity with foreign languages, and more often than not, substantial investments of money and time spent at the opera house. While some opera-lovers are enthusiastic about sharing their passion and welcoming newcomers to the fold, others are rather more elitist and cliquish, cherishing their coveted orchestra seats and preferring not to be bothered by anyone new or less knowledgeable.

As a result, attendance is declining and innovators like Jay Meetze are looking for ways to attract the unaffiliated. Go figure.

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