The Seattle Opera has received a $2.3 million loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The company said on Friday, April 24 that the loan will help the company rehire 180 workers that were laid off due to the Coronavirus crisis.  The company also noted that 12 administrators who were furloughed will be rehired for eight weeks and employees who were obliged to take salary cuts will get their fully pay back for eight weeks.

Earlier in March the company was forced to cancel a production of “La Bohème” starring Angel Blue due to the pandemic and was forced to layoff 215 artists and production staff.

The company is currently presenting an opera at home series with artists doing live concerts from their living rooms and broadcasting performances on the radio.