The LA Opera has canceled plans to present the world premiere of Mason Bates’ “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” this fall.

The company said that the production was canceled due to financial issues.

LA Opera CEO Christopher Koelsch told the AP News, “It was a very ambitious and therefore expensive project, and unfortunately in the current conditions, it wasn’t something that we can manage. Operationally we are kind of back to pre-COVID normalcy in terms of income. The audience is back and both earned and contributed revenue is stable. The big difference is the cost structure is not pre-COVID.”

The new opera is a co-commission with the Metropolitan Opera and General Manager Peter Gelb said, “I was shocked at first. But I understand how all opera companies in America are facing enormous financial challenges, so I was sympathetic. I wish the timing had been a little bit better. But we’re looking forward to seeing the show a year ahead of its premiere at the Met, because it’s a very complicated opera with a lot of scenes.”

As a result of the LA Opera cancellation, “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” will be performed at the Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music from Nov. 15-22 at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington, Indiana.

The opera will then be performed at the Met during the 2025-26 season and Bartlett Sher will direct the opera in Indiana and later at the Met. Michael Christie likely will conduct the premiere in Indiana and Yannick Nézet-Séguin will conduct in New York.