ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Anthony Roth Costanzo Raises $4M, Opera Philadelphia Now Has Surplus

institutional · 2026-05-26

Anthony Roth Costanzo became general director of Opera Philadelphia in 2024 and immediately faced a crisis: he had to raise $4 million in 12 weeks to prevent the company from closing. The organization was, in his words, "three weeks away from stopping payroll." Despite offering $11-or-pay-what-you-wish tickets, the company has since achieved a cash surplus. The turnaround is detailed in a New York Times article from May 26, 2026.

Key facts

  • Anthony Roth Costanzo became general director of Opera Philadelphia in 2024.
  • He raised $4 million in 12 weeks to keep the company from closing.
  • The company was three weeks away from stopping payroll.
  • Opera Philadelphia offers $11-or-pay-what-you-wish tickets.
  • The company now has a cash surplus.
  • The story was reported by The New York Times on May 26, 2026.

Entities

Artists

  • Anthony Roth Costanzo

Institutions

  • Opera Philadelphia
  • The New York Times

Locations

  • Philadelphia
  • United States

Sources