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George Steel

GM and Artistic Director, The New York City Opera

George Steel is the General Manager and Artistic Director of the New York City Opera. As General Manager and Artistic Director of the New York City Opera, Steel has recently come under significant criticism for his plan to move the NYCO out of its long time home at Lincoln Center, and to significantly reduce the size and scope of the opera company in nearly every capacity. An open letter of protest, penned by Catherine Malfitano, has been signed by over 120 music professionals, including such opera luminaries as Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Frederica von Stade, Sherrill Milnes, Samuel Ramey, and Joyce DiDonato. Steel has declined to publicly respond to the signatories offer of help. Steel has been under increasing pressure to resign from his post by singers and musicians of the NYCO, and has been accused by union leaders of being entirely uninterested in negotiating. Steel, who was brought in to resuscitate the NYCO in 2009, claims that the cuts are necessary to reduce costs.