quote:
Metropolitan Opera Lays Off All Of Its Musicians & Chorus Because Of Coronavirus Crisis
The Metropolitan Opera, the largest performing arts organization in the U.S., has laid off all of its union members, including all of the opera’s musicians, chorus singers, and stagehands.
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. 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.
"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.
Egert estimates that over 200 people represented by AGMA have been laid off by The Met Opera, and over 500 musicians and stagehands have been laid off by them altogether—and that doesn't take into account any administrative staff who have been let go.
The Opera also announced today that they have canceled the remainder of the 2019–20 season, which was to have ended on May 9th.
