The Metropolitan Opera has announced the cancellation of its 2020-21 season due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, while also Announcing its Lineup for 2021–22

In a statement, the Met said “it made its painful decision to cancel the balance of the 2020–21 season based on the advice of health officials who advise the Met and Lincoln Center. Because of the many hundreds of performers who are required to rehearse and perform in close quarters and because of the company’s large audience, it was determined that it would not be safe for the Met to resume until a vaccine is widely in use, herd immunity is established, and the wearing of masks and social distancing is no longer a medical requirement. Health officials have said this will likely take at least five to six months after a vaccine is initially made available.”

Peter Gelb, the company’s General Manager added, “The inability to perform is taking a tremendous toll on our company. Our future relies on making strong artistic strides, while collectively reducing our costs until the audience has fully returned. But we have faith that the members of our company and the public will understand why and how our return to normalcy must be managed. Meanwhile, we will continue with all of our digital media initiatives, which have kept the Met connected with our audiences here and abroad throughout the closure.”

The company also revealed that new productions that were to have premiered during the now-canceled 2020–21 season, Verdi’s “Aida,” Prokofiev’s “The Fiery Angel,” Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte,” and “Don Giovanni,” and Jake Heggie’s “Dead Man Walking” will all be rescheduled for future seasons.

The Met Orchestra’s three concerts at Carnegie Hall scheduled for June 2021 have all been canceled, though the series will return in the 2021–22 season, with dates to be announced later. The Met Orchestra’s international tour, also planned for June 2021, has been canceled as well.

The company also revealed its 2021-22 season which will include six new productions and ten HD performances. More info in a following article.