Princess, a boa constrictor with a notable stage presence, has been selected to perform in the Metropolitan Opera's upcoming production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Così fan tutte." The opera house requires auditions for all performers, including its reptilian cast members.
Zoe Ziegfeld, a carnival performer turned opera actor who plays the snake handler in the production, oversaw the auditions. The opera's setting has been reimagined as a 1950s Coney Island carnival, incorporating vibrant scenery and sideshow performers. Ziegfeld evaluated each snake, observing their demeanor and comfort level with human interaction. "I need to know that the animal is comfortable with people and with what we are doing," Ziegfeld stated.
Princess, a large sun-glow boa constrictor with a yellow-peach coloration, ultimately won the role due to her striking visual presence. A slightly smaller brown boa constrictor named Nala will serve as her understudy. Ziegfeld noted that rehearsals with Princess will proceed on a trial basis, focusing on Ziegfeld's ability to work with the animal.
This marks Ziegfeld's third time performing the snake charmer role in the Met's adaptation of the 1790 opera. The original plot follows two soldiers testing their lovers' fidelity through deception. In this adaptation, the core narrative remains the same, but the setting is a Coney Island carnival.
Ziegfeld's experience includes performing eight snake-charming shows daily for several seasons on Coney Island. In previous auditions for the Met, when live animals were not permitted, Ziegfeld presented video footage of their act and demonstrated a "Human Blockhead" act, involving hammering a nail into their nasal cavity. Ziegfeld observed similarities between the Met and Coney Island, noting the shared elements of awe and terror among audiences.
The animals for the auditions were provided by Nancy Novograd of All Tame Animals, a company that supplies a variety of animals for performances. Novograd stated that animals, like human performers, must exhibit specific behaviors and be compatible with the human talent. Key criteria for the snake performers included appropriate color, size, and Ziegfeld's personal approval.