<p>What happens when a casting call at one of New York’s most prestigious opera houses is open to snakes? The Metropolitan Opera recently found itself hosting an unusual audition, with boa constrictors being assessed for their temperament, stage presence and ability to handle the demands of a live performance. Reportedly, in the end, one boa constrictor emerged as the star of the unusual casting process.</p><h2>Met Opera's unusual audition for snakes</h2><p>Snakes were recently brought in to audition for a role in the opera house’s upcoming production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte. While human performers typically have to prove they are ready for the stage, the reptiles were also put through their own version of an audition.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/thai-businessman-seeking-rs-48-crore-for-his-company-to-become-a-monk-and-live-in-the-forest-1788440188930"><strong>Businessman seeking Rs 48 crore for his company to become a monk</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The unusual casting session took place in New York on August 28, with photographer Andres Kudacki capturing images of the snakes being assessed alongside performance artist Zoe Ziegfeld. As per reports, Princess, a yellow-peach sun-glow boa constrictor, got the main part on a trial basis. While Nala, a slightly smaller brown boa constrictor, secured the backup role.</p><h2>More details about the Cosi fan tutte</h2><p>The snake auditions are part of an unusual new interpretation of Così fan tutte. Mozart’s 1790 opera is being reimagined around a 1950s Coney Island carnival, bringing colourful sideshow elements into the classic story.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/duct-taped-to-his-seat-violent-passenger-forces-american-airlines-flight-to-divert-1788629611754"><strong>Duct taped to his seat: Violent passenger forces American Airlines flight to divert</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The basic plot remains centred on two soldiers who test the loyalty of their romantic partners by disguising themselves and attempting to seduce each other’s lovers. But the new setting gives the production a distinctly carnival-inspired atmosphere. That makes the presence of a snake charmer — and a real snake — a natural fit for the production’s sideshow aesthetic.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/killing-the-himalayas-slowly-human-urine-is-melting-a-glacier-on-mount-everest-1788513947987"><strong>Killing the Himalayas slowly: Human urine is melting a glacier on Mount Everest</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Princess will now move into rehearsals on a trial basis before making her official appearance on stage.&nbsp;</p><p>While the role may be brief, the unusual audition process has already given the production an unexpected moment in the spotlight. With a carnival setting, sideshow performers and now a real boa constrictor among the cast, the Met’s latest Così fan tutte promises to be anything but a conventional staging of Mozart’s classic.</p><h2>Who is Zoe Zeigfeld?</h2><p>Zoe Ziegfeld, a carnival performer-turned-opera actor, cast as the snake handler in the Met’s version of “Così fan tutte,” inspired by Coney Island in the 1950s.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/800-overweight-oil-workers-in-north-sea-could-soon-be-fired-1788443922367"><strong>800 overweight oil workers in North Sea could soon be fired. Here's why</strong></a></p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8bfRi0HnMF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8bfRi0HnMF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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<p>As per IMDb, she is best known for <i>The Metropolitan Opera HD Live</i> (2006), <i>Bizarre</i> (2015) and <i>Fancy</i> <i>Feast: The Fat Burlesque Performer</i> (2017).</p>

The Metropolitan Opera recently held auditions for snakes to appear in its new production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte. Read to know more. 

What happens when a casting call at one of New York’s most prestigious opera houses is open to snakes? The Metropolitan Opera recently found itself hosting an unusual audition, with boa constrictors being assessed for their temperament, stage presence and ability to handle the demands of a live performance. Reportedly, in the end, one boa constrictor emerged as the star of the unusual casting process. Met Opera's unusual audition for snakes Snakes were recently brought in to audition for a role in the opera house’s upcoming production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte. While human performers typically have to prove they are ready for the stage, the reptiles were also put through their own version of an audition. Also Read: Businessman seeking Rs 48 crore for his company to become a monk The unusual casting session took place in New York on August 28, with photographer Andres Kudacki capturing images of the snakes being assessed alongside performance artist Zoe Ziegfeld. As per reports, Princess, a yellow-peach sun-glow boa constrictor, got the main part on a trial basis. While Nala, a slightly smaller brown boa constrictor, secured the backup role. More details about the Cosi fan tutte The snake auditions are part of an unusual new interpretation of Così fan tutte. Mozart’s 1790 opera is being reimagined around a 1950s Coney Island carnival, bringing colourful sideshow elements into the classic story. Also Read: Duct taped to his seat: Violent passenger forces American Airlines flight to divert The basic plot remains centred on two soldiers who test the loyalty of their romantic partners by disguising themselves and attempting to seduce each other’s lovers. But the new setting gives the production a distinctly carnival-inspired atmosphere. That makes the presence of a snake charmer — and a real snake — a natural fit for the production’s sideshow aesthetic. Also Read: Killing the Himalayas slowly: Human urine is melting a glacier on Mount Everest Princess will now move into rehearsals on a trial basis before making her official appearance on stage. While the role may be brief, the unusual audition process has already given the production an unexpected moment in the spotlight. With a carnival setting, sideshow performers and now a real boa constrictor among the cast, the Met’s latest Così fan tutte promises to be anything but a conventional staging of Mozart’s classic. Who is Zoe Zeigfeld? Zoe Ziegfeld, a carnival performer-turned-opera actor, cast as the snake handler in the Met’s version of “Così fan tutte,” inspired by Coney Island in the 1950s. Also Read: 800 overweight oil workers in North Sea could soon be fired. Here's why

<p>The Metropolitan Opera recently held auditions for snakes to appear in its new production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte. Read to know more.&nbsp;</p>

Slither to stage: New York's Metropolitan Opera gets unusual casting call as snakes try out for role

<p>A Chinese-American couple has donated a record $125 million to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art to renovate the space that houses its collection of modern and contemporary art, the institution said Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The donation by Oscar Tang and his wife Agnes Hsu-Tang is the largest capital gift the Met -- one of New York City's biggest tourist attractions -- has ever received in its 151-year history.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In return, the newly renovated space will bear their names, the museum said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The injection of funds will allow the museum to carry out a long-postponed project offering a multidisciplinary "re-envisioning" of 80,000 square feet (7,400 square meters) of galleries and public space that house its collection of modern and contemporary art.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-as-%E2%80%98the-nutcracker%E2%80%99-returns-companies-rethink-depictions-of-asians-432993" hreflang="en">As ‘The Nutcracker’ returns, companies rethink depictions of Asians</a></p>

<p>"The Modern Wing will encompass a full renovation of the current modern and contemporary galleries, which The Met has been seeking to renovate for more than a decade," the museum said.</p>

<p>"With this remarkable gift, Oscar and Agnes are enabling The Met to realize its ambitious mission for future generations," said Daniel Weiss, president of the iconic museum located next to Central Park.</p>

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-uk-fashion-awards-honour-virgil-abloh-and-other-big-hitters-432866" hreflang="en">UK fashion awards honour Virgil Abloh and other big-hitters</a></h2>

<p>Tang, an 83-year-old retired financier who has acted as a trustee for the museum for three decades, has financed previous exhibitions, art acquisitions, room extensions and other expenses over the years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He has also donated works of art, including 20 Chinese paintings from the 11th to 18th centuries and the 10th century Song dynasty masterpiece "Riverbank," the museum said.</p>


A Chinese-American couple has donated a record $125 million to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art to renovate the space that houses its collection of modern and contemporary art, the institution said Tuesday.

A Chinese-American couple has donated a record $125 million to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art to renovate the space that houses its collection of modern and contemporary art, the institution said Tuesday. The donation by Oscar Tang and his wife Agnes Hsu-Tang is the largest capital gift the Met -- one of New York City's biggest tourist attractions -- has ever received in its 151-year history. In return, the newly renovated space will bear their names, the museum said. The injection of funds will allow the museum to carry out a long-postponed project offering a multidisciplinary "re-envisioning" of 80,000 square feet (7,400 square meters) of galleries and public space that house its collection of modern and contemporary art. As ‘The Nutcracker’ returns, companies rethink depictions of Asians "The Modern Wing will encompass a full renovation of the current modern and contemporary galleries, which The Met has been seeking to renovate for more than a decade," the museum said. "With this remarkable gift, Oscar and Agnes are enabling The Met to realize its ambitious mission for future generations," said Daniel Weiss, president of the iconic museum located next to Central Park. UK fashion awards honour Virgil Abloh and other big-hitters Tang, an 83-year-old retired financier who has acted as a trustee for the museum for three decades, has financed previous exhibitions, art acquisitions, room extensions and other expenses over the years. He has also donated works of art, including 20 Chinese paintings from the 11th to 18th centuries and the 10th century Song dynasty masterpiece "Riverbank," the museum said.

New York's Met gets its biggest donation ever

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New York's Metropolitan Opera, News on New York's Metropolitan Opera, stories on New York's Metropolitan Opera, articles on New York's Metropolitan Opera, New York's Metropolitan Opera stories at Wion, New York's Metropolitan Opera news, New York's Metropolitan Opera latest news

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Slither to stage: New York's Metropolitan Opera gets unusual casting call as snakes try out for role

New York's Met gets its biggest donation ever