The Metropolitan Opera is in a severe financial crisis, depleting its endowment by a third to sustain operations. Facing a $326 million budget deficit, it's seeking Saudi Arabian funding and even considered Elon Musk for investment. Peter Gelb is pursuing unorthodox strategies: selling Chagall murals, renting the opera house for fashion shows, and staging Sting performances. Ticket revenue has plummeted, falling $20 million annually over a decade despite live broadcast revenue declines of $10 million since 2019. The company is now bleeding money, using investment income to stay afloat, with Moody's downgrading its credit rating to junk status.