The Metropolitan Opera is one of the most prestigious opera companies in the world. Every year, it brings the world’s greatest opera singers to New York City, where they perform for sold-out audiences. But this year, everything has changed. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Met to close its doors, and the singers who would have been performing there are now out of work..
For many opera singers, this has been a devastating blow. They have lost not only their income, but also the opportunity to perform for live audiences. This is a particularly difficult situation for young singers, who are just starting their careers and need the exposure that comes from performing on a major stage..
The Met has been trying to help its singers during this difficult time. The company has created a fund to provide financial assistance to those who have been most affected by the pandemic. The Met has also been offering online performances and masterclasses, so that singers can continue to connect with their fans and stay sharp..
But even with these efforts, the future of opera remains uncertain. It is not clear when the Met will be able to reopen, or whether audiences will be ready to return. In the meantime, opera singers are facing a difficult choice: they can either wait for the pandemic to pass, or they can try to find work in other fields..
For some singers, the decision to leave opera has been an easy one. They have already found success in other careers, and they are not willing to wait for the Met to reopen. But for others, the decision is more difficult. They love opera, and they cannot imagine doing anything else..
One singer who is facing this difficult decision is Natalie Dessay. Dessay is one of the most acclaimed opera singers in the world, and she has performed at the Met many times. But she is also 54 years old, and she knows that her career is winding down..
Dessay says that she is not ready to give up opera yet. She still loves to perform, and she believes that she still has something to offer the world. But she also knows that the future of opera is uncertain, and she is not sure whether she can continue to make a living as a singer..
Dessay’s situation is emblematic of the challenges that all opera singers are facing right now. The pandemic has put the future of opera in jeopardy, and singers are having to make difficult decisions about their careers. It is unclear when the Met will be able to reopen, or whether audiences will be ready to return. But one thing is for sure: the world of opera will never be the same again..
