{
  "id": 5716204,
  "title": "Even snakes have to audition for the opera at the Met. Princess the boa constrictor got the part",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/even-snakes-have-to-audition-for-the-opera-at-the-met-princess-the-5716204",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T04:23:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/snakes-metropolitan-opera-audition-cosi-fan-tutte-94443a44ab9e8c00cfe5165e2eaa7e13"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At the Metropolitan Opera in New York, not only humans must audition for roles, but also the snakes. Zoe Ziegfeld, a carnival performer turned opera actor, assumes the responsibility of selecting the snake for a part in the Met's adaptation of Mozart's \"Così fan tutte.\" The snake handler's role involves evaluating each snake's temperament and suitability for the performance. After a rigorous audition process, a boa constrictor named Princess was chosen for the starring reptilian role. Princess, a larger yellow-peach boa constrictor, was deemed the best fit for the stage due to her impressive visual presence. Another boa constrictor, Nala, will serve as her understudy. This adaptation of Mozart's original opera, set in a 1950s Coney Island carnival, is Ziegfeld's third performance as the snake charmer.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK (AP) — Pretty much everyone on stage at the Metropolitan Opera in New York must…",
  "key_points": [
    "Princess boa constrictor selected for Met's Così fan tutte adaptation",
    "Zoe Ziegfeld, carnival performer, handles snake auditions and selection",
    "Nala boa constrictor chosen as Princess's understudy"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Metropolitan Opera's unconventional casting process for its animal actors underscores the importance of temperament and visual presence in selecting a suitable performer for a starring role.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Even snakes have to audition for the opera at the Met. Princess the boa constrictor got the part",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/even-snakes-have-to-audition-for-the-opera-at-the-met-princess-the",
        "published": "2026-09-05T04:11:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}