The Pacific Opera Project has announced that it will be changing its forthcoming production of “Così fan tutte” after much controversy.

The 2012 production, which is set in the context of the 1939 film “Gone With the Wind” was lambasted by many as insensitive due the film’s own racist themes. As such, the company has seemingly taken the criticism to heart and issued a statement regarding its decision to change the production.

“In unanimous agreement between board and staff, Pacific Opera Project has elected to change the setting of our March production of Cosi fan tutte. We recognize that some view a Gone with the Wind setting as offensive and we apologize for that offense. Appearing insensitive to these concerns is against everything POP stands for and damages our reputation as an inclusive and diverse company, something we have carefully cultivated over the past nine seasons with productions such as our Japanese/English ‘Madama Butterfly’ and our Star Trek inspired ‘Abduction from the Seraglio,’” the company stated on its Facebook page. “POP’s strongest quality has always been creativity — the ability to adapt and innovate to any location, circumstance, or constraint. We look forward to the challenge of reinventing a production, now only six weeks away. We’re confident that a POP ‘Cosi’ — whether set traditionally, in the Civil War, or in outer space — will be one of the most accessible, affordable, and entertaining you have ever seen.

“We thank our unwavering fans for your support during this time of transition and we look forward to seeing you at the show.”

“Così fan tutte” is set to open on March 28, 2020 at El Portal Theatre. It will run for five performances through April 5, 2020.