The prestigious Metropolitan Opera is facing layoffs, pay cuts and a slimmed-down repertoire, due in part to difficulties that have lingered since the pandemic and a much-debated sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia that has dragged on.
Among other things, 22 administrative positions will be eliminated and 35 top managers, including chief executive Peter Gelb and star conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, will have their salaries reduced. The repertoire will also be cut, including the postponement of the Russian opera "Khovanshchina".
The Met is considering selling the naming rights to the opera house. It is also looking at selling two valuable Marc Chagall paintings and renting out the opera house for pop concerts on off nights.
