Metropolitan Opera: We’re staying open

Metropolitan Opera: We’re staying open

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norman lebrecht

March 11, 2020

Latest update from the Met:

The safety and security of our audiences and employees is the Met’s highest priority. We are following the lead of our city, state, and federal elected officials as we take steps recommended by the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

At present, no Met performances have been canceled.

Here in the opera house, our cleaning crew has increased its efforts both in public spaces and behind the scenes. We have installed additional hand-sanitizer dispensers just outside the auditorium to help our audience stay healthy. Staff members are receiving regular updates and have been encouraged to stay home if they feel ill.

As we monitor the ever-developing situation, we ask that ticket-holders to upcoming performances who feel unwell please stay home and rest.

Comments

  • CounterTenore says:

    Just wait until some elderly heiress in the Golden Circle gets the sniffles, then see how long they stay open. Frankly, my dear, the opera will still be there when this is all over.

  • A.L. says:

    Povero Met. They sound truly desperate by thus far holding their ground to remain open. The spectre of losing yet more revenue must be worse than their current Dutchman failure. On the other hand, by now they ought to be used to seeing so many empty seats night after night or matinee after matinee.

  • Monsoon says:

    I predict this won’t last much more than a week.

  • Karl says:

    Isn’t the place half empty for most performances anyway? Get woke, go broke.

  • OM says:

    With typical poor attendence in the MET, there should be ample space among people to worry that the virus could pass around.

  • Barry Guerrero says:

    That’ll change as soon as cast members will be cancelling, or won’t be able to get into the country, etc.

  • Raymond Gouin says:

    The Met has the same amount of credibility in his matter. For Trump, it’s getting re-elected. For the Met, it’s the almighty dollar.

    • David Gold says:

      What 1st term president doesn’t want to get re-elected? Can you name any recent one? This has nothing to do with the President– to even bring him into this discussion about this global Pandemic is ridiculous. They need to close and certainly offer full refunds.

      • Saxon Broken says:

        Didn’t Trump spend the last few years trying to shut down the Center for Disease Control (CDC), since he thought it was a waste of money?

  • Roland says:

    What a photo! Looks like a corona virus looking from above waiting for the audience …

  • David Gold says:

    This is disgraceful ! This is not the time to continue to congregate people next to each other for hours on end; hand sanitizers are not a solution. People can be infectious before symptoms occur. Are we supposed to trust people to stay home. What if a 40 year old has a mild cold and sits next to a 70 year old who catches it from the 40 year old. One will be fine, the other could die. Be Pro-Active ! An Usher on Broadway just tested positive ! Offer a refund at least ! If you do not, you are coming across in the absolute worst light possible.

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