The Opéra de Montréal has announced that it will be canceling two productions from the fall portion of its 2020-21 season due to continued concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The productions of “La Traviata” and “Jenufa,” originally slated to open the season, will instead be programmed for the 2021-22 season.

“Following the release of CNESST guidelines for health standards in the performing arts, we are compelled to consider productions of large-scale operatic works such as ‘La Traviata’ and ‘Jenůfa,’ each involving over 200 artists and other professionals, as causing insurmountable health risks for the performers, technicians and staff involved. Given the scale of these productions, it would be impossible for us to comply with the public health regulations now in force on stage, in the orchestra pit, and behind the scenes,” stated Patrick Corrigan, the company’s general director, in a press release. “These large-scale productions require several months of work before the actual performances and it is imperative that we make a decision now rather than later as it would be impossible to respect all the deadlines related to such artistic projects.”

In lieu of these cancelations, the company’s season will be slimmed down to four productions including a double bill of “La Voix Humaine” and “L’Hiver Attend Beaucoup de Moi,” “La Beauté du Monde,” “Le Nozze di Figaro,” and “Riders to the Sea.” 

“La Voix Humaine” and “L’Hiver Attend Beaucoup de Moi” were previously scheduled for March 2020 but were canceled due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Now this double will be presented in the fall in front of an intimate audience. 

The Opéra de Montréal also revealed that it was planning some online content, including concerts and operas.