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
Mar 10, 2026
CM Culture Management Announces New Director of Artist Management and Artist Roster
CM Culture Management welcomes Rebecca Townsend as Director of Artist Management and introduces a curated roster of artists across opera and classical music, marking an exciting new chapter for the company.
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Mar 10, 2026
10 min read
CM Culture Management is pleased to announce an important new chapter for the company with the appointment of Rebecca Townsend as Director of Artist Management. Under her leadership, the company introduces a carefully curated roster of exceptional artists.
Rebecca Townsend is an artist manager working across opera, theatre, and classical music. Known for her thoughtful and collaborative approach, she helps performers and creative professionals shape long-term career strategies and cultivate distinctive artistic identities. Her work is grounded in a deep respect for the history of these art forms, a commitment to building sustainable careers, and the fostering of strong professional relationships.
CM Culture Management looks forward to supporting these artists’ continued growth and connecting them with audiences and organizations around the world.
Meet the Artists of CM Culture Management:
10 min read
Mar 9, 2026
Soula Parassidis Featured in Marie Claire and Huffington Post Following Response to Timothée Chalamet’s Opera Remarks
CM Culture artist Soula Parassidis has been featured in Marie Claire and Huffington Post following her response to recent comments by Timothée Chalamet about opera and ballet.
Mar 9, 2026
10 min read
CM Culture artist Soula Parassidis has been featured in Marie Claire Greece and The Huffington Post USA following her response to recent comments by Timothée Chalamet about opera and ballet.
In the articles, Parassidis, a Greek Canadian soprano and Artistic Director of Living Opera Music, pushes back against the familiar claim that opera is no longer relevant. Rather than treating the debate as a celebrity news cycle moment, she uses it to make a broader point about the enduring value of live performance, especially at a time when artificial intelligence is transforming much of the cultural economy.
Her comments emphasize that opera is not disappearing, even if traditional funding models are under pressure in parts of Europe. She also points to signs of renewal, including younger audiences engaging with the art form. As she notes, Opera America data show that more than half of first time opera attendees are under 45.
Parassidis also addresses the growing conversation around AI and the arts. Her argument is that opera and ballet remain fundamentally tied to physical presence, breath, discipline, and risk in real time, qualities that cannot be easily replicated by synthetic media. In that sense, the very qualities that make these forms seem outside the pace of pop culture may also be what make them durable.
For CM Culture, the Marie Claire Greece feature marks an important example of Soula bringing an artist’s voice into a wider cultural conversation about technology, relevance, and the future of live art.
You can read the Marie Claire op-ed here and the The Huffington Post feature here.
10 min read
Mar 6, 2026
Living Opera Releases “O Lola” from Radio Days: The Golden Age of American Song
CM Culture is pleased to share the release of “O Lola”, the latest track from Radio Days: The Golden Age of American Song, the new album project from Living Opera, distributed by Universal Music Group.
Mar 6, 2026
10 min read
Living Opera Releases “O Lola” from Radio Days: The Golden Age of American Song
CM Culture is pleased to share the release of "O Lola", the latest track from Radio Days: The Golden Age of American Song, the new album project from Living Opera, distributed by Universal Music Group.
Performed by tenor Norman Reinhardt, “O Lola ch’ai di latti la cammisa” from Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana brings one of opera’s most haunting melodies into the broader musical and historical world of Radio Days. Produced by Grammy nominated songwriter Jeff Trott (If it makes you happy, Soak up the sun), and arranged by Academy Award winning arranger Patrick Warren, the recording reflects the project’s larger aim of connecting the operatic voice to the history of broadcast, recording, and American cultural memory.
The release also speaks to Living Opera’s wider artistic vision: presenting classical repertoire in ways that feel vivid, accessible, and culturally connected without losing musical depth. In the context of Radio Days, “O Lola” is not simply an isolated operatic excerpt. It becomes part of a larger story about how voices travel across media, from the early days of transmission to today’s digital platforms.
The project is led by soprano Soula Parassidis and Norman Reinhardt, founders of Living Opera Music, whose work continues to bridge performance, storytelling, and contemporary cultural strategy. Through releases like “O Lola,” Living Opera is building a model that treats classical music not as a closed tradition, but as a living form that can move across audiences, formats, and generations.
With Radio Days, that approach is especially clear: the project draws on the sound world of the past while presenting it with a distinctly modern framework for recording, distribution, and audience engagement. “O Lola” is a strong example of that balance, rooted in operatic tradition but shaped for a broader cultural conversation.