Paul Plishka, a powerful bass with a ready smile and hearty laugh who sang 1,672 performances at the Metropolitan Opera over 51 years, has died.

Otto Schenk, an actor who became a noted director praised for traditional opera productions and criticized by advocates of contemporary approaches, died Thursday.

Daniele Rustioni will become just the third principal guest conductor of the Metropolitan Opera in its nearly century-and-a-half history, leading at least two productions each season starting in 2025-26 as a No. 2 to music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Soprano Kathleen Battle is returning to the Metropolitan Opera at age 75 for a recital on May 12.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin is remaking the Metropolitan Opera from the bottom up.

Lucy Simon, the composer who received a Tony nomination in 1991 for her work on the long-running Broadway musical “The Secret Garden,” has died.

The Metropolitan Opera sold 56% of ticket dollar capacity this season as it returned from a 1 1/2-year absence.

They both carved out sterling reputations as military and political leaders over years of public service.

“Fire Shut Up in My Bones” became the first work by a Black composer in the 138-year history of the Metropolitan Opera as the company presented its first staged performance since March 2000 following a gap caused by the coronavirus.

“Fire Shut Up in My Bones” became the first work by a Black composer in the 138-year history of the Metropolitan Opera as the company presented its first staged performance since March 2020 following a gap caused by the coronavirus.

The Metropolitan Opera returned to its home after an 18-month absence caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Metropolitan Opera says a positive $31 million on its latest tax return is mostly money pledged for future seasons that the company has not yet received.

FILE - Boston Symphony Orchestra music director James Levine conducts the symphony on its opening night performance at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass. “No artist in the 137 year history of the Met had as profound an impact as James Levine,” Gelb said in a statement. In one instance, the Met accused Levine of inappropriately touching a musician starting in 1979 and six more times until 1991. The following February, he became principal conductor for the Met’s 1973-74 season, assisting music director Rafael Kubelik, and became music director with the 1976-77 season. Levine was downgraded to music director when he joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2004.