The Operatic Problem

"The Operatic Problem" by William Johnson Galloway, is a deep look into the state of opera in England during the early 1900s. It points out the difficulties opera faced as an art form, mainly because England didn't have a national opera program like other countries in Europe. Galloway pushes for a government-funded opera house in England to improve the country's cultural scene. He traces opera's history and how it grew in Europe, highlighting the success of government-supported opera in places such as Italy, Germany, and France. Galloway claims that England has mainly brought in opera from other places instead of growing its own, missing chances to help local artists. He compares different European systems in detail, presenting his idea for an English National Opera that would focus on local shows and make opera available to more people. He thinks this would bring back English opera traditions and also benefit the community socially and economically, showing both his love for the arts and his practical plan to strengthen British culture.