Deductible canard

This week’s canard is inspired by recent sad news here in New York, and it goes something like this: “Naturally those European opera houses are going to present all sort of frivolous and unlikable productions and bizarre repertoire, because they receive lavish subsidies and don’t have to sell tickets. Ma in America questo non si può: here opera is not subsidized and therefore impresarios are forced to present works and productions with strong box office appeal.”