Bad news bared

The Metropolitan Opera is heading for a very rocky couple of years.

By La Cieca

June 5, 2020

That’s what the Associated Press says, anyway. To begin with (or, I suppose, to finish with), Anna Netrebko has decided not to sing Salome, thus canceling opening night 2021.

Peter Gelb is already hedging his bets about the announced December 31 opening date, saying “Based upon the discussions I’ve had with various health authorities here locally in New York, some of them believe that there will be a medical solution by then. If there isn’t, we won’t open.”

The only new production at the Met next season (when, as and if) will be Dead Man Walking, and you all know how I feel about that show.

“Julie Taymor’s staging of Magic Flute from 2004 and the poorly received Michael Grandage production of Don Giovanni from 2011 both will be brought back from storage containers in Newark, New Jersey.”

And the Met is already floating the idea of making time-saving cuts in repertoire operas, including Die Frau Ohne Schatten. [AP]

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.