Morality plays.

The article examines the growing political divisions within the opera world, highlighting controversies such as the Metropolitan Opera’s $100 million partnership with Saudi Arabia despite the kingdom’s human rights abuses, and onstage conflicts over political expressions at London’s Royal Opera House. It discusses the tension between opera’s historical role as a form of resistance and the financial pressures leading institutions to engage with authoritarian regimes like Saudi Arabia, which uses cultural events to enhance its international image. The piece also explores challenges faced by opera companies in balancing artistic impartiality with political stances, noting inconsistencies in responses to different causes and the difficulties of navigating moral and political complexities in the performing arts.