Friday, March 20, 2020
Met Opera Lays Off All Union Employees, Including Musicians and Chorus
www.broadwayworld.com: Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Metropolitan Opera announced today that the company has canceled the remainder of the 2019-20 season, which was to have ended on May 9, 2020. This includes all performances and Live in HD transmissions.
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The MET Opera is laying people off too?? Geez, nothing is safe. I have also seen in the news that films and television shows are stopping production. How does a society function socially and economically when everything comes to a dead halt? I am very glad to see that the MET is offering their remaining full time union employees pay through the end of the month, and healthcare benefits through the crisis. At least someone had the sense not to take everything away from people who desperately need it right now. It is also nice to see the attempt to start an emergency fund, although this begs the question of who they think will even be able to donate to them. If no one is working, who has the extra cash to drop on a donation to a theatre instead of using it to buy their next meal for their family? Hopefully they find some generous people that are willing to help them stay afloat. The toll this virus will have on the arts is going to be immeasurable without people like that.
This almost seems unacceptable to do, especially in a time where these people won't have any other job offer available to them. It is so sad to hear that the Met is doing this. Most likely because they are unable to support themselves and pay all these artists, but in the meantime, it is unethical. I can't imagine what these musicians feel when it comes to the Met, many who I am sure were proud to perform in this highly established opera. It is nice to hear that the Met is giving support to the full time members, but that is only for a few more days. I have no idea how many people exactly got laid off but according to Vulture.com, the Met employs around 3,000 people. I hope there is some sort of fund that can also support these people, or some sort of measures the government can assist with artists who struggle during this period.
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