'That's where it's going to hit the most, those per-performance situations like dancers and soloists.'īesides AGMA, the Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 represents the next biggest group of The Met Opera employees, which includes around 100-150 members of the orchestra, as well as music staff and librarians. Things aren't so good for the non full-time performers, which includes 65 dancers, around 50 soloists, over 30 more chorusers, and others: 'They only get paid on a per-performance basis, so if rehearsals and performances are cancelled, they don't get paid,' Egert said. We've reached out to them for the exact number of people who have been affected by the action. The higher paid members of the company’s administrative staff are taking reductions in their pay, with Gelb waiving his entire salary. The Met confirmed that all full-time union employees have been offered pay through March, with health care coverage continuing throughout the crisis. They have also agreed to extend their healthcare through the whole term of the suspension. We look forward to being reunited in the fall with a new season.”Įgert said that for their members who are full-time regulars-which includes approximately 80 chorusers, several stage managers, 15 stage directors and assistants, and 12 performers-they've reached an agreement where The Met will pay them through March 31st. 'We send our thanks to our loyal audiences and we’re doing our best to support our employees during this extraordinarily difficult time. “As devastating as it is to have to close the Met, this was the rare instance where the show simply couldn’t go on,' said Gelb. The Opera also announced today that they have canceled the remainder of the 2019–20 season, which was to have ended on May 9th.

'It is indicative of a trend happening across the country at opera and choral performances-most of the venues are shutting down or cancelling performances,' said Len Egert, executive director of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), one of the two largest unions who work with The Met Opera.Įgert estimates that over 200 people represented by AGMA have been furloughed by The Met Opera, and over 500 musicians and stagehands have had their employment suspended by them altogether-and that doesn't take into account any administrative staff who have been let go. Governor Andrew Cuomo previously banned all large gatherings of people throughout the state, which has led to the shutdown of most cultural institutions around NYC. The Met’s general manager, Peter Gelb, has invoked the “force majeure” clause in the unions’ contracts, which has rarely if ever been invoked before, in the wake of the spread of coronavirus. The Metropolitan Opera, the largest performing arts organization in the U.S., has furloughed all of its union members, including all of the opera’s musicians, chorus singers, and stagehands.

Met opera musicians