Met Opera To Take Mid-winter Break; Broadcasts Imperiled

[Laurence Glavin]

I've just been informed through artsjournal.com that the Metropolitan Opera has announced that the company will
take a winter break during the 2004/2005 season, and presumably
thereafter.  Performances will run 6 days a week, with
matinees and evening shows on Saturday from late September
through mid-January.  Then the house will close for a breather,
set construction, reheasals, etc and return later in the month.
The Met lost Chevron/Texaco as sponsor of the radio 
broadcasts this year (although they will pick up the
tab this season);  management was supposed to be avidly
searching for a replacement, but this development could
put such a quest in doubt.  Getting radio stations to 
take the broadcasts as is has been difficult enough,
but affiliates both commercial and non-commercial at
least want continuity.  By the way, as a ticket holder
to at least one opera this year, I received a call from the Met
office with a request for $$$$$$ to continue the broadcasts
if they don't get a sponsor.  This maneuver has been the
subject of discussion on the Opera_List server already;
the newest development will really get the juices flowing.

Laurence Glavin




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