On a chilly Friday evening this October, more than 9,000 San Franciscans gathered at the city’s Civic Center Plaza to watch a simulcast of Rigoletto, Verdi’s classic opera. As the San Francisco Opera performed indoors at the nearby War Memorial Opera House, huge LED screens and concert-quality speakers simultaneously projected the performance to the masses outside. To bring in as many people as possible, the San Francisco Opera not only charged no admission to the simulcast, but also…

To read this article and start a full year of unlimited online access, subscribe now!

Already a subscriber?

Need to register for your premium online access,
which is included with your paid subscription?

Support SSIR’s coverage of cross-sector solutions to global challenges. 
Help us further the reach of innovative ideas. Donate today.

Read more stories by Alana Conner Snibbe.