(Credit: Met Opera Website)

Michael Heaston has been promoted to the position of Deputy General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera.

Heaston made the announcement on social media on August 26, 2024 noting that “As I continue my work overseeing the incredible artistic department, season planning, and casting, I will now also be collaborating across all departments of the company to achieve continued artistic success and economic sustainability. I greatly look forward to working cohesively in a larger leadership capacity at this beloved opera house.”

He previously held the position of Assistant General Manager and Artistic Administrator at the Met and has also held leadership positions with Washington National Opera, Houston Grand Opera, The Dallas Opera, and the Glimmerglass Festival. Heaston was also the Executive Director of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program from 2016-2018.

This is the second major leadership announcement in summer 2024 following the contract extension of Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The Met Opera’s 2024-25 season follows on the heels of a mixed 2023-24 in which general manager Peter Gelb withdrew $40 million from the company’s endowment and during which ticket sales fell below expectations for numerous productions.

Peter Gelb’s current contract as general manager runs through 2026-27.