Overview

• Opera Australia reported a $10 million operating deficit for 2024, deepening its financial struggles following a $7.8 million loss in 2023.
• Box office revenue fell sharply to $50.7 million in 2024, alongside a 26% drop in attendance, with fewer than 362,430 attendees across 356 performances.
• The company drew on emergency capital funds to offset losses, citing venue closures, underperforming productions, and rising costs as key factors.
• Key leadership roles, including artistic director and CEO, remain unfilled after recent resignations, as the board reviews a critical culture and governance report.
• Despite challenges, early 2025 ticket sales have improved, and the board projects a near break-even result this year with a return to profitability by 2026.