By Tom Liddy
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN - It's a low note for the New York City Opera.
The cash-strapped performance group is moving out of Lincoln Center, which it has called home for the past 45 years, according to published reports.
The board of the opera house, which has hosted stars such as Placido Domingo, also voted Friday to slash staff and scale back its scheduled performances, the New York Post said.
"We simply can't afford it," director George Steel said, according to the paper.
The opera house has languished in the shadow of the Metropolitan Opera, which is also located at Lincoln Center.
Now it's looking for a smaller space to accomodate the dwindling crowds that have been attending its performances.
Only 40 percent of the seats are filled on a good night, the paper said.
The vote triggered a threat of a lawsuit by the union representing opera workers.
The American Guild of Musical artists will reportedly file unfair labor practice charges against the company, and could seek to get a judge to block the performance group from using the name New York City Opera after it leaves Lincoln Center, the Associated Press reported.
