Vancouver Opera issues public advisory against unauthorized third-party ticket resellers
Company directs patrons to its own site after scalpers offer tickets at “inflated” prices
Vancouver Opera’s Don Pasquale is one of the upcoming shows that’s in demand.
IT DOESN’T JUST happen with Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Now the Vancouver Opera is grappling with the growing challenge of unauthorized third-party ticket resellers.
The organization today issued a public advisory against purchasing tickets from unauthorized platforms.
“It has come to our attention that certain third-party ticket resellers are advertising Vancouver Opera tickets at inflated prices, taking advantage of unsuspecting customers,” Vancouver Opera general director Tom Wright said int he statement today. “Vancouver Opera wants to emphasize that the only authorized and legitimate platform for purchasing tickets to our performances is our online ticket centre. The resellers in question not only charge exorbitant prices but also jeopardize the integrity of the ticketing process, potentially leading to issues such as counterfeit tickets or denied entry to the performances. We are deeply concerned about the experiences of our patrons who unknowingly fall victim to unauthorized ticket resellers.”
Ticket-resale controversies prompted the B.C. government to clamp down on high-priced scalping in 2021, passing legislation that banned primary and secondary ticket sellers from selling tickets that they don’t own, and prohibited bots from mass-ticket buying. The challenges have not just been limited to stadium-sized concerts: in November, Bright Nights at the Stanley Park Train sold out within hours of going on sale—prompting rumours of scalping.
For its part, the VO is urging patrons to exercise caution and only acquire tickets through the official Vancouver Opera online ticket centre to ensure a secure transaction and acquire authentic tickets at face value. In turn, the organization says ticket buyers will “contribute to the sustainability” of Vancouver Opera.
The advisory speaks to the popularity of the VO’s current roster of shows, including this month's production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale that’s been designed and directed by internationally in-demand duo Barbe and Doucet, as well as an April mounting of Bizet’s perennial crowd-pleaser Carmen.
Related Articles
