The financially challenged Metropolitan Opera is furloughing 41 administrative employees, nearly 20% of its full-time staff, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Met said Tuesday (May 5) that the furloughs are temporary and will start at the end of this week. Each impacted employee will receive two weeks pay plus continued health benefits.In addition, 11 employees will shift to part-time work, the company said.
Before the cost-cutting, the Met had 237 full-time employees. General manager Peter Gelb says the Met could run a deficit of up to $60 million on its $308 million budget.
The Met suspended its season after its March 11 performance and wound up canceling the final 58 performances of a season that originally was scheduled to