Quebecers attended no fewer than 18,000 cultural performances in 2022, more than double the number from the previous year, according to the latest report from the Institut de la statistique du Québec. Despite this increase, the theatre, classical music and opera sectors have still not reached the levels of the years preceding the health crisis (2015-2019).
Circus and magic shows, French-language music shows and English-language music shows, meanwhile, all exceeded average attendance levels prior to 2020 (increases of 33%, 26% and 21% respectively).
Opera and classical music performances have been the most affected by the pandemic, with a 41% drop in attendance compared to 2015-2019, which is significantly affecting the autonomous revenues of orchestras and production companies.
“Classical concert tickets are not cheap, and when you’re careful about every dollar spent, people often cut the entertainment budget first,” explains Alain Labonté, press relations officer for the Orchestre classique de Montréal.
During these difficult times, the Orchestra hopes to receive renewed financial assistance from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. If this amount “is not up to the needs,” the organization could “possibly reduce the number of concerts” offered to the public, says Mr. Labonté.
At the Orchestre Métropolitain and I Musici de Montréal, however, spectators are there: attendance during the 2023-2024 season has reached the same levels as before the pandemic. “It’s encouraging,” says Andréanne Moreau, head of communications and public relations at the Orchestre Métropolitain.
Still difficult for theaters
Theatres are still struggling to recover from the health crisis. They have recorded a 28% drop in attendance compared to the 2015 to 2019 average, which is eating into their revenues. Members of Théâtres associés, which brings together 11 performance venues in Montreal and Quebec City, are now co-producing works in order to share the costs, says its general director, Claudine Khelil. She explains that it is “difficult to compete with Madonna or Taylor Swift.”
Organizers also have to juggle with spectators’ habits, according to Mme Khelil, because more and more people are buying their tickets at the last minute.