As a season ticket holder for nearly two decades, I'm writing this review with a mix of sadness and frustration. Since the San Jose Opera resumed performances after COVID, I believe the new General Director, Shawna Lucey, has made the experience for general ticket holders rather strained.
What do I mean?
I understand the need to provide donors with exclusive perks like the pre-performance party/drinks on the second floor. However, this transitioned over the years to occupying the main entrance hall, forcing general attendees to exit through a narrow side hallway by the coat check. This created significant congestion. Silly me, I thought that this couldn't get any worse. I was wrong: For the final performance of the 41st season, we were made to exit from the rear of the theater, requiring us to walk completely around the block. This was clearly done to provide additional space for donors and VIPs, and it was simply not acceptable.
Despite these frustrations, my love for Opera still led me to plan on renewing my season tickets. I had the renewal date marked on my calendar and, as I've done for years, went to the website to renew. To my surprise, I wasn't in the system. I initially assumed it was a temporary glitch and tried again a couple of weeks later, but still no luck. I even called and emailed to inquire about the issue, but received no response.
I then attempted to purchase new season tickets for my wife and me, hoping to secure our preferred seats later. It was then that I discovered Saturday opening performances were apparently no longer offered. This seemed like a major change, and I would have expected clear communication about it, which was completely absent. I only figured it out because I couldn't find any Saturday opening performances available.
When I finally received something in the mail, it provided no information about the costs. The website was equally confusing regarding actual ticket prices. In contrast, I received at least half a dozen additional physical mailings specifically asking for donations. Given the website's ineffectiveness, these physical mailings are crucial, yet they were used to solicit donations rather than assist with subscription renewals. Again, it seems management prioritizes donors over regular paying patrons.
I firmly believe that one needs only to look at management to understand what is happening to an organization, and the San Jose Opera, under Shawna's direction, appears to be spiraling downwards. A month or two before the 42nd season began, I finally received a phone call from the box office. By then, however, I had decided to end my relationship with the Opera.
I haven't even talked about the gaslighting that are the emails talking about the performances, or the overall quality of the productions. About the gaslighting, there was one performance we went to - and it was just, not good (as in, whoa - why did I drive in). Well, a week or two later - I get the email about how much praise this performance is getting from website XYZ. I went to that website and looked up said performance. Out of ~350 performances that were rated that month, San Jose Opera was in position ~300. Even art student productions received better ratings, and the criticisms on the site mirrored our own.
This situation is truly disgraceful. Unless you are a VIP and/or donor class, then wonderful time will be had. I suppose getting a one off ticket is also ok, but as somebody that went for so long and to see what has happened - well, there you go. I do hope that things get turned around and I can feel welcomed once more. read more