New York City Opera was founded in 1943 to provide financially accessible opera to a wide audience, opera that would reflect the company's commitment to innovative repertory choices and the development of American opera. After many successful seasons of intriguing programming at the New York State Theater at
Lincoln Center, (now known as the David H. Koch Theater) the global financial crisis of 2008/9 began to take its toll on this august institution. While the long-awaited arrival of Gerard Mortier as general manager and artistic director was ultimately foiled by Mortier himself, the appointment of George R. Steel was intended to buttress the opera and secure its future.
