What a wonderful point! The situation is the same in the college town where my parents live. They make every effort to bring in touring ballet companies, opera companies, broadway shows, etc., but they are always "second level (or lower)" as you say. (Usually lower, frankly.) The majority of the audience doesn't know any better, and thus they never let a performance end without a standing ovation. I witnessed it myself this past winter after an horrific performance of Giselle... a five minute standing O! It's really a shame, when this country has so much to offer, that they seem to only be interested in bringing in Russian companies -- talented, or not.