A New Vision for Arts and Culture Management
10 min read
Jan 1, 2025
The question for the classical music community is not “will it be relevant in the 21st century?”, but rather, “who will help carry the torch?” Classical music endures because it has withstood the test of time, inspiring people across generations and establishing a standard for artistic excellence. This era is no different in its potential; what has changed are the economic, social, and political circumstances that shape our reality.
Unfortunately, the current trajectory of the sector is unsustainable. The classical music industry is facing systemic challenges that threaten its long-term viability. My research has revealed that the income gap between artists and non-artists – even after accounting for differences in age, education, race, and other factors – has widened significantly. Between 2006 and 2021, this gap grew from -15% to -30%. Furthermore, the economic return on earning an arts degree has become, on average, negative; most arts graduates never recoup their educational investment. Compounding these challenges, my research also finds that opera companies are grappling with financial instability. Their net operating incomes have stagnated or declined, while the cities they serve are experiencing significant population shifts that impact their audience base.
These empirical findings, drawn from U.S. data, carry a cautionary message for European artists and arts institutions as well. The global interconnectedness of the arts means that these trends could have far-reaching implications beyond national borders.
The pressing question is: What do we do differently?
At CM Culture Management, our philosophy is straightforward: Artists must thrive. Thriving means more than artistic fulfillment; it’s about holistic success. If artists are not actively engaged and able to showcase their talents, they are not thriving. If they cannot financially sustain their careers, they are not thriving. While these statements may seem self-evident, they highlight glaring gaps in the current system.
We believe in expanding the possibilities for artists and the institutions that support them. The pie can get bigger. Our unique network and capabilities empower us to think beyond conventional, zero-sum strategies. Instead, we focus on innovative solutions that prioritize long-term growth and sustainability for the entire classical music ecosystem.
The future of classical music will be shaped by those who dare to think boldly, act decisively, and prioritize the well-being of the artists at its heart. By doing so, we ensure that this timeless art form continues to inspire and resonate for generations to come. Welcome to CM.
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The question for the classical music community is not “will it be relevant in the 21st century?”, but rather, “who will help carry the torch?” Classical music endures because it has withstood the test of time, inspiring people across generations and establishing a standard for artistic excellence. This era is no different in its potential; what has changed are the economic, social, and political circumstances that shape our reality.
Unfortunately, the current trajectory of the sector is unsustainable. The classical music industry is facing systemic challenges that threaten its long-term viability. My research has revealed that the income gap between artists and non-artists – even after accounting for differences in age, education, race, and other factors – has widened significantly. Between 2006 and 2021, this gap grew from -15% to -30%. Furthermore, the economic return on earning an arts degree has become, on average, negative; most arts graduates never recoup their educational investment. Compounding these challenges, my research also finds that opera companies are grappling with financial instability. Their net operating incomes have stagnated or declined, while the cities they serve are experiencing significant population shifts that impact their audience base.
These empirical findings, drawn from U.S. data, carry a cautionary message for European artists and arts institutions as well. The global interconnectedness of the arts means that these trends could have far-reaching implications beyond national borders.
The pressing question is: What do we do differently?
At CM Culture Management, our philosophy is straightforward: Artists must thrive. Thriving means more than artistic fulfillment; it’s about holistic success. If artists are not actively engaged and able to showcase their talents, they are not thriving. If they cannot financially sustain their careers, they are not thriving. While these statements may seem self-evident, they highlight glaring gaps in the current system.
We believe in expanding the possibilities for artists and the institutions that support them. The pie can get bigger. Our unique network and capabilities empower us to think beyond conventional, zero-sum strategies. Instead, we focus on innovative solutions that prioritize long-term growth and sustainability for the entire classical music ecosystem.
The future of classical music will be shaped by those who dare to think boldly, act decisively, and prioritize the well-being of the artists at its heart. By doing so, we ensure that this timeless art form continues to inspire and resonate for generations to come. Welcome to CM.
Latest news and events
10 min read
Nov 30, 2025
Living Opera Releases Debut Single from New Album Radio Days
Living Opera Releases Debut Single from New Album Radio Days ahead of the US250 celebrations.
Nov 30, 2025
10 min read
CM Culture is thrilled to announce the release of “O Holy Night,” the first single from Living Opera’s new album Radio Days: The Golden Age of American Song. Featuring soprano Soula Parassidis and tenor Norman Reinhardt, the project marks a new phase in their recording and touring strategy under CM Culture’s management. Distributed through Universal Music Group, the single opens a campaign designed to position operatic voices within a broader contemporary entertainment market.
Creative Team and Artistic Direction
Produced by Grammy nominated songwriter Jeff Trott and arranged by Oscar winning pianist and orchestrator Patrick Warren, Radio Days brings Parassidis and Reinhardt’s international stage experience into a setting shaped by American song and early broadcast traditions. The album blends classical technique with the storytelling and orchestral language of the radio era, creating a sound that appeals to both classical and non classical listeners.
Why O Holy Night Leads the Release
“O Holy Night” was chosen as the debut single because of its historic significance in American media. On Christmas Eve 1906, inventor Reginald Fessenden broadcast what is widely recognized as the first radio program from Brant Rock, Massachusetts. During that transmission he performed “O Holy Night,” surprising ship operators who expected only Morse code. The moment revealed radio’s capacity to carry music and human expression across distance, setting the stage for how audiences would experience sound in the decades that followed.
Connecting to American Musical Heritage
By opening the album with “O Holy Night,” Living Opera draws a direct line from that first broadcast to the evolution of American listening habits. The release connects a familiar work with a landmark moment in the nation’s cultural and technological history, framing Radio Days as both a musical project and a tribute to the early forces that shaped American entertainment.
Looking Ahead
Timed in advance of the United States two hundred fiftieth anniversary, Radio Days will continue with additional singles and a national performance series suited for orchestras, festivals, broadcast partners, and civic events. Presenters, producers, and industry partners interested in booking, licensing, or collaboration opportunities may contact CM Culture for materials, availability, and project information.
10 min read
Nov 20, 2025
Living Opera is distributed by Universal Music Group
CM Culture Management is proud to mark this milestone for our client Living Opera.
Nov 20, 2025
10 min read
A new milestone: Living Opera is distributed by Universal Music Group.
CM Culture Management is proud to mark this milestone for our client Living Opera. With this development, Living Opera continues to grow as a creative studio that brings classical performance into conversation with contemporary sound and creative storytelling.
Living Opera’s Creative Direction
Living Opera develops original recordings, multimedia projects, and live performances that blend classical technique with modern artistic approaches. The studio focuses on work that connects music, narrative, and culture for audiences across generations.
New Music on the Horizon
The first single arrives on November 28 and comes from Living Opera’s upcoming project Radio Days. This release introduces a new series of recordings that explore the musical landscape of the early American broadcasting era ahead of the US250 celebrations in 2026.
About CM Culture Management
CM Culture Management represents artists and creative ventures that bridge classical performance and contemporary media. Through strategic development, production support, and brand building, CM Culture helps artists expand their reach while maintaining their full artistic vision. We are thrilled for Living Opera and can't wait to see what this new chapter holds!
10 min read
Sep 18, 2025
Living Opera Launches a New Chapter: A Digital Home for a Global Vision
Living Opera Launches a New Chapter: A Digital Home for a Global Vision
Sep 18, 2025
10 min read
Living Opera Launches a New Chapter: A Digital Home for a Global Vision
Living Opera unveils its new website and Foundation, marking a new phase in its mission to make the impossible possible. The platform now unites its work across music, education, research, and philanthropy in one place, celebrating five years of growth and looking ahead to the next chapter of artist-led innovation. Founded by soprano Soula Parassidis and tenor Norman Reinhardt in 2019, Living Opera began as a conversation about how to create a new internal culture for classical musc. That conversation has become a movement spanning stages, studios, and classrooms worldwide.
A Foundation for the Future
The newly formed Living Opera Foundation transforms a vision into structure. It provides a home for initiatives that unite creativity and purpose, including the Kristin Okerlund Masterclass Series, which mentors young artists and honors one of Living Opera’s most cherished collaborators, the Eric Wilson Prize, recognizing artistic integrity and leadership, and the Circles network, a model for sustainable, community-driven performance. Each initiative is guided by the same principles that have defined Living Opera from the beginning: service, purpose, story, and excellence.
Music, Media, and Meaning
Living Opera Media expands the organization’s storytelling through recordings, podcasts, and film. Upcoming projects include Radio Days: The Golden Age of American Song, celebrating the music that once brought families together across the airwaves, Muse of the Golden Throne, a revival of rare art songs inspired by the poetry of Sappho, and Behind the Curtain, a podcast revealing the real lives of artists who make today’s culture possible. Each project shares one goal: to make art accessible without losing its depth and to show that classical music continues to speak with power and relevance.
Building the Culture They Want to Live In
As Living Opera enters its next chapter, the message remains constant: beauty endures when it is built with purpose. The new website invites audiences, partners, and patrons to explore how the organization blends tradition with innovation, art with data, and performance with community. What began as two artists seeking meaning in their craft has become a global network proving that excellence, generosity, and sustainability can coexist.
Visit www.livingopera.org to learn more.
