Met Opera Forced to Furlough Almost 20% of Its Staff Due to Coronavirus

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the Metropolitan Opera has furloughed close to 20% of its full-time staff.

With its September opening facing uncertainty, the opera has implemented a cost-cutting measure that indefinitely furloughed 41 staff members. It translates to about a fifth of the New York opera company's workforce of 237 people. Aside from those furloughed indefinitely, 11 other staff members will be moved to part-time hours.

The Associated Press reiterated The Met's statement that these furloughs are only temporary and are set to take effect by the end of the week. The furloughed will still receive up to two weeks of pay and will also keep their health benefits, the same with Met Opera's unionized orchestra, chorus, and stagehands.

Peter Gelb, General Manager of The Met Opera, said that they are looking at a deficit of about $60 million from its $308 million budget.

The recent furloughing of administrative staff follows the opera company's cancellation of its season after its March 11 presentation. The opera cut of the remaining 58 performances from the 217-show season.

Members of the unionized orchestra, chorus, and stagehands have stopped receiving pay since April started. Peter Gelb described their situation as "horrendously difficult," yet assured that they are trying their best despite the financial constraints.

The national executive director of the American Guild of Musical Artists, Leonard Egert, recognized the unprecedented crisis and expressed gratitude for The Met's efforts to keep the health benefits of the unionized members but noted the toll it takes on their members. The Guild represents The Met's artists, directors, and other creatives.

As a part of The Met's efforts to weather the event cancellations, Gelb has already committed the rest of his $1.45 million salaries until the company gets back on its feet. Higher-paid members of the administration also took a pay cut of about 10% for employees receiving more than $125,000 and up to 25% to 50% for employees at the highest pay grades.

The Metropolitan Opera's recent cost-cutting moves highlight the growing setbacks from the coronavirus pandemic, which has already left more than 26 million Americans filing for unemployment. The US Department of Labor noted that unemployment from the last months has effectively drained the country's gains since the Great Recession of 2008.

Due to the social distancing protocols and shelter-in-place, large gatherings currently prohibited, leading to the cancellation of concerts, tours, and theater and opera performances. Ticket sales and distribution company Ticketmaster has also moved about a quarter of its workforce into a furlough in line with its cost reduction program. Its parent company, Live Nation, has already filed for a $500 million plan with the SEC. Ticketmaster's furloughs took effect at the start of this month, with the company promising to shoulder both employer-employee health benefit premiums. Employees can also expect two weeks' worth of payout.

Also, Billboard has recently reported that electronic music organizer Insomniac has also furloughed 90 people or half of its workforce due to the pandemic, with the affected employees still keeping their medical benefits.

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