Pros

American singers: this is the only place you can make a real living wage while having a family and staying in one place in 2022. Anyone who says otherwise is lying.

Cons

They don't hire up through the ranks. If you want to advance beyond featured roles to leading roles, you'll have to do some time in Europe and even then, without a record contract and major publicity, you won't sing lead roles for long.

Pros

Getting tickets to the shows was a cool perk.

Cons

Seriously think twice before you decide to spend your time and energy working at the Metropolitan opera. The development department can be quite toxic, especially toward lower level staff. The head of the department expects far too much from her employees and pays next to nothing. I have watched her turn on people and use a tone with them that is never appropriate in the work place. The rest of the department does nothing and just turns a blind eye to the bad behavior. There is very little care toward any of the junior staff. They see anyone who is a coordinator or below as dispensable. There is a huge issue with delegation and piling work on these lower level staff because none of the higher ups actually know how to do anything. The HR department is useless and there were many days where I felt helpless and defeated. There are some very kind people that I met while working here but they cannot make up for the bad ones who control everything. I know it is appealing to get to say that you work at the Metropolitan opera but believe me, that is not a perk, it does not excuse the toxic environment. Quality of life is important. Consider that before you agree to work here.