[imh]

Is changing the pricing scheme the only solution here? Maybe part of the opera's goal is to appeal to a broader range of demographics, or any other reason they aren't trying to maximize profits. It would be nice if they could make a good living for themselves and still keep tickets affordable for everyone. There must be a way to maintain a discrepancy between what people are willing to pay and what people have to pay, where the opera can meet their non-monetary goals while reducing this third party arbitrage.