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City Opera is known as "the people's opera." And there's a new person in charge. George Steel is the new general manager and artistic director of the institution. He says despite financial woes, he expects to lead City Opera to brighter days. The former head of the Miller Theater at Columbia University and the Dallas Opera says knowing the mission is key.

"Championing new repertoire and discovering old repertoire. And particularly promoting American opera's and American opera singers and providing visionary new productions of standard repertoire. So it's a very clear mission," said Steel.

The mission includes promoting the talents of singers like Julianna Di Giacomo. The soprano performed at City Opera's recent spring luncheon.

Steel took over the troubled institution in February after Gerard Mortier stepped down citing budget problems. Steel says despite shortfalls and and tough economic times in general, the answer is not to downsize productions.

"Whether that's dark and disturbing or flamboyant and flashy, we want to make sure that it's an intense and wonderful theatrical experience," said Steel.

City Opera canceled last season while the State Theater was renovated and renamed it the David H. Koch Theater. More recently, it had to take drastic measures to pay the bills.

"It does mean borrowing from our endowment, but in fact, in the long term it will be seen as the only option and a great option for getting the opera back in performance mode and back in great financial health," said Steel.

The opera company opens its 2009/2010 season in November.

"Our first opera of the season is a wonderful 20th century American opera the way it ought to be called Esther, about the biblical queen and it's by Hugo Weisgall, a great American composer," said Steel.

The new season starts in the fall, but City Opera also has some very special spring and summer programming opera fans can enjoy.

"May 1st and 2nd we have 10th anniversary of Vox, a series of readings of brand new American operas. May 1st and 2nd at Skirball Center right off of Washington Square Park," said Steel.

At the end of June, the "people's opera" is bringing opera to the people -- performing for free in downtown Manhattan as part of the River to River Festival.