Timothée Chalamet ruffled some feathers in the arts world recently. In a sit-down interview with Matthew McConaughey, the Dune star remarked that “no one cares” about ballet and opera, and the backlash has been real. Several institutions, including London’s Royal Opera House and Seattle Opera, have chimed in on the controversy. Now, The Metropolitan Opera House in NYC has thrown in their two cents—and we can’t help but applaud. Here’s what they had to say on Instagram:
“All respect to the opera (and ballet) people out there,” the Met Opera wrote on the onscreen text, with the caption reading “This one’s for you, @tchalamet… 👀”
So, what did Timothée Chalamet say about ballet and opera?
This whole debacle comes from an interview between the Wonka actor and Matthew McConaughey for CNN and Variety.
I don’t want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore.’ All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there.”
Ballet in NYC: the best upcoming shows for those who do care
Perhaps this comes as a surprise to some, but there are too many ballet shows in NYC to count. This season, American Ballet Theatre takes its 2026 Spring season to David H. Koch Theater for performances of Mozartiana & Firebird (March 13-21), Raymonda Act III: Grand Pas Hongrois & Firebird (March 14-21) and Othello (March 19–20).
Putting an innovative spin on the traditional ballet format, Ballet of Lights is shining in NYC this season too. Ballerinas dressed in costumes fitted with fibre-optic lights take to the stage inside Kaye Playhouse to reimagine fairy tales like Cinderella (April 4) and Sleeping Beauty (May 9) under a new glow.
Opera in NYC: the best upcoming shows for those who do care
NYC’s opera scene centers around the Metropolitan Opera House. This season, performances include Madama Butterfly (March 10-28), Tristan und Isolde (March 13-April 2) and La Traviata (March 20-June 6).
Later on in the year, the famous NYC opera house continues its run of unmissable performances with the following program: El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego (May 14–Jun 5), Tosca (September 22–October 20) and Così fan tutte (September 23–October 23).