"Opera doesn't make money. Opera’s what you spend money *on*.” “But . . what do you get out of it?” “You get opera. You put money in, you see, and opera comes out,” said Salzella wearily. --Terry Pratchett, 'Maskerade'
I used to feel like half my time as an orchestra musician was spent patiently explaining, over and over, that no, orchestras have never in history paid for themselves through ticket sales; no, cutting concerts or auxiliary trumpets won't balance the books; YOU JUST HAVE TO RAISE THE MONEY.