norman lebrecht
July 22, 2026
An uproar over an instant freeze on subsides has led to a rapid reversal by the French government.
The Ministry of Culture has let it be known that funds which were frozen on July 3 will now be paid in the second half of this year.
The easing affects 28 organizations including seven opera houses – Lyon, Strasbourg, Toulouse (pic), Bordeaux, Nancy, Montpellier, Rouen – four orchestras – Île-de-France, Pays de la Loire, Lyon, and Lille – and 17 theatres.