Amato Opera was founded by Anthony and Sally Amato (no relation to that Amato!) in New York City in 1948 with the noble intentions of giving burgeoning opera singers a place to start and making opera available for people who couldn't spend an arm and a leg at the Met. Since 1964 they've been producing productions with a scaled-down orchestra in a 107-seat theatre.

In the early seventies, punk rock was being born right next door to Amato at CBGB, but its ideals were already in full bloom at the tiny opera house, where you could see The Marriage of Figaro for four bucks.

At the end of this season, the company's 61st, Anthony Amato will be closing up shop (Sally Amato died in 2000). If you're in New York between now and May 31st, do yourself a favor and go.