A crestfallen member of the cher public forwards to La Cieca this disheartening announcement from John Banta, Director of Special Events for the Met:

Thank you for your interest in attending the Metropolitan Opera’s Sneak Peek of the New RING Production on Friday, May 8th at 3:15pm. Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, we have had to cancel this event.

La Cieca has to wonder what in the world might be going on the last Friday afternoon of the season that would bump a Ring benefactors’ freebie. Maybe James Levine is overbooked and tired? Or (one can dare to hope) some more sinister reason?