Met Opera Team Removes Names Over Production Changes

The production team for Bizet's "Carmen" at the Metropolitan Opera has requested their names be removed from all programs. This dramatic action stems from a dispute over the company's decision to alter key elements of the staging, specifically by eliminating several vehicles and automation used in the original 2023 production. Director Carrie Cracknell's reimagining, which set the opera in a contemporary American industrial town, saw its artistic vision significantly changed.

Set designer Michael Levine expressed frustration, stating the alterations were a departure from the original artistic intent and unprecedented in scale. He and other team members, including costume, lighting, and choreography designers, subsequently removed their names. The Met cited economic necessity for the changes, with General Manager Peter Gelb stating the decision was made due to the high cost and ineffectiveness of the original staging elements, projecting savings exceeding $300,000.

These financial measures are part of broader cost-saving initiatives at the Met, which have included layoffs and salary cuts. This situation is not without precedent, as a similar dispute occurred in December 2000 with Verdi's "Il Trovatore," where the production team withdrew their names after the staging was significantly altered. The Met hopes to mend its relationship with designers like Levine, who has a history of acclaimed work with the company.