Now the conductor Gary Brain, who lives in Paris, tells me that at a recent performance he was given a leaflet with the results of a government survey showing that average attendance age at concerts and opera is 32 and the dress code overwhelmingly informal.

Classical audiences are up year on year by 30 percent.

So how do the French do it? Mostly, it’s a question of top-down attitude.

Instead of politicians and media projecting an image of serious music as elitist and expensive, in France they present it as both aspirational and enjoyable – a good way to spend an evening and an environment where young people are likely to meet people they like.

In addition, there is a great pride and affinity in such homegrown artists as Natalie Dessay, Emmanuelle Haim and the countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, household names who appear on mainstream media shows.

We consider this as food for thought this morning as OperaBaltimore continues to work on its own business plan and commitment to American artists.

Read  all of Mr. Lebrecht’s commentary here