In our first interview, aeons ago in July, Peter had sported his signature black tee-shirt and dark jacket. He had taunted me for appearing onscreen in a semi-formal jacket and tie. Even that was dressing down for the Met Club – supporting the opera company since 1893 – whose dress-code in its discreet Lincoln Center dining room is White Tie. Shock horror, dressing down is now allowed – to the level of a tux, and maybe velvet monogrammed pumps for the brash and pushy. I wore my favourite dress tartan trews with a DJ on my first visit and should have remembered my leper’s bell.
In July Peter Gelb and I had looked forward to the Met’s Gala Opening on 31st December 2020. On 23rd September he had announced the cancellation of the entire 20-21 season, and that the 21-22 season would open on 21st September 2021. Another year of ghost lights at the Met.