Metropolitan Opera Announces Layoffs, Salary Cuts & Postponement of a New Production
OperaWire • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The Metropolitan Opera is implementing layoffs, executive salary cuts, and postponing a new production for the 2026-27 season due to uncertainties surrounding its funding deal with Saudi Arabia.
- General Manager Peter Gelb cited Saudi Arabia's budget recalibrations as causing delays in the subsidy agreement, despite assurances that the deal will proceed.
- The Met is considering selling naming rights to its theater and two valuable Chagall murals, which would remain on display despite the sale.
- The company will reduce its upcoming season from 18 to 17 productions, postponing Mussorgsky’s "Khovanshchina," and laying off 22 administrative staff while cutting pay for 35 executives by 4-15%, including Gelb and Music Director
