Met Opera General Manager Earned $1.8 Million in 2012
JENNIFER MALONEY
The Metropolitan Opera, which is seeking concessions from union members in difficult contract talks, disclosed Monday that its general manager in 2012 earned a total of $1.8 million, and this year took a 10% pay cut.
The general manager, Peter Gelb, has proposed a 16% pay cut for union members in the face of declining ticket sales, a dwindling endowment and growing expenses.
The company's operating budget for the 2012-2013 season was $327 million. A Met spokesman said Mr. Gelb received a raise in 2012 after the signing of a new 10-year contract, bringing his base compensation to $1.55 million. The disclosure, in the company's latest tax filing, sparked criticism from union leaders.
"It's outrageous. It's disgusting," said Alan Gordon, a union leader who represents singers, dancers and stage managers.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/met-opera-general-manager-earned-1-8-million-in-2012-1402952915