A boa constrictor named Princess has secured a leading role in the Metropolitan Opera's upcoming production of Mozart's "Così fan tutte" in New York. Nala, another boa constrictor, will serve as Princess's understudy.

The unconventional casting came after a series of auditions where snakes were evaluated for their stage presence and comfort. Animal talent expert Nancy Novograd oversaw the auditions, working alongside performance artist Zoe Ziegfeld, who is slated to play a snake charmer in the opera.

During the audition process, performers tested the animals' reactions and their ability to handle being on stage. Ziegfeld, in her role as a snake charmer, interacted with the auditioning snakes to assess their suitability for the production. Zoe Ziegfeld, a performance artist, poses for a portrait with a snake draped around her neck and arms.

The opera, "Così fan tutte," is set to run in New York. The inclusion of live animals in operatic productions is a notable choice, aiming to add a unique visual element to the performance. A snake held by a person auditions for an opera role, illuminated against a dark background. Albino snake sticking out its tongue.