What a terrible loss it would be to not have Joe around.
A
Annelise Baker
8 years ago
I am working in the Merry Widow this year. I do not know Joe well, but he was very helpful when I was signing this contract and seems like a really great guy. I hope he can keep working at the Met!
J
Jacqui Danilow
8 years ago
These suggestions are deplorable?
Why? Because I can think 10 other ways to lower the budget
w/o compromising the
“Product”!!!!
S
Selina Chau
8 years ago
Featured
Working at The Met has always been a professional and pleasant experience, this is all because of Joe's professional, kind and fair approach to his dancers. Needless to mention his comprehensive knowledge about the day to day operation in the house. I hope you will reconsider the early retirement offer.
I
Ingrid kessler
8 years ago
The MET needs Joe Fritz
J
Jennifer Cadden
8 years ago
It is beyond absurd to force Joe Fritz into an early retirement. His dedication and professionalism to the dancers of the Metropolitan Opera, the artistic process on all levels and to the company itself is nothing short of exemplary. He has illustrated a profound love and belief in his craft. The Metropolitan Opera is so lucky to have a Dance Director at the prime of his career, never mind with his comprehensive understanding of the standard repertoire and his commitment to documenting movement in new productions. The dance component without Joe Fritz would be like having the music of an opera performed without a Conductor. It just doesn't work! The dancers need him, the Opera needs him, and most importantly the patrons deserve to have him help maintain The Metropolitan Opera's reputation as one of the world's finest. Every major Opera company has a dedicated dance department to ensure that the history and decorum of opera remains the cross-road for the highest value of set design, costuming, musicianship, the voice and dance. To Mr. Gelb and to The Board of The Metropolitan Opera, our art form as we know it is dying, and another step like this will ensure our long term failure. Opera is a grand spectacle, and probably the best representation of the artistic achievements of our society. Don't help in assisting its downfall by taking away an essential and necessary part of our company. We are a family of hard professionals dedicated to our craft and to the company, a move like this displays a general disregard for our hard work and dedication; Especially, by bullying an individual that has worked tirelessly for you for over 30 years. Please keep Joe in his rightful position as Dance Director.
D
David Gonsier
8 years ago
Joe's wealth of knowledge and experience is indispensable to us all and a tremendous asset to the Met that we would all be at a loss without. He deserves far more respect for his decades of service to the Met than he is being shown by this proposal.
D
diana levy
8 years ago
After 44 years at the met in several positions, dancer, ballet mistress and dance director I know how the dept functions and the needs of a complex way of working. Joe is perfect person in this position. I know what it takes to run the dept with so many part time dancers and the amount of work in the studio and office that is needed. The dept cannot function with only one person or anyone not totally familiar with the unique way dance is integrated in to the productions. I fear for the entire Met and not only dance dept. Quality is the product and do not see how it can continue with a diminished dept and loss of someone so valuable as Joe Fritz.
F
Frances Chiaverini
8 years ago
Dancer since 2009
M
Michelle Vargo
8 years ago
I've known Joe for many years . He has always been a respectful , kind and compassionate person and leader . His understanding of what it means to be a dancer at The Met , and the intricate details of how to make things work behind the scenes are irreplaceable .
G
Gabrielle Pierson
8 years ago
Featured
I have known Joe since 1990 while I was a student at NJBallet, and I am currently now in the ballet company and on faculty in our ballet school. He was one of my teachers and was filled with a wealth of knowledge and leadership and if it weren’t for teachers and mentors like him, we would have no future.
A
Alison Clancy
8 years ago
Extra Dancer since 2009
M
Monica Trogani
8 years ago
Joe Fritz is an integral part of The Met productions. His experience, talent and professionalism are of inestimable value to the organization. I urge you to strongly consider keeping Joe as the leader of this incredibly important dance department. Thank you very much.
Monica Trogani
Former Rehearsal Director
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Former Ballet Mistress
Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal
Alberta Ballet
Dance Theatre of Long Island
Former Company Member
New Jersey Ballet
P
Paul McRae
8 years ago
Assistant Director of New Jersey Ballet
E
Elizabeth Dugas
8 years ago
Joe has been a staple since I began working at the Met 5 years ago and I would absolutely hate to see him go.
R
Rosemary Sabovick-Bleich
8 years ago
Featured
Please keep Joseph Fritz as dance director at The MET. I have known Joe for 35 years and we were partners at New Jersey Ballet for five of those years. His experience is invaluable to your company and you wod be hard pressed to find a better person to put in his place!
C
Charla Genn
8 years ago
Joe has given his heart and soul to the Metropolitan Opera. He has dedicated almost his entire career to this organization. This should command the respect of the organization. The dance department is the fabric that gives so much magic to the Operas. Joe is need to maintain this magic. In addition his ability to remount and remember ballets is priceless.
A
Ayaka Kamei
8 years ago
No one has as much knowledge as Joe about the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. His 30 years of contribution and experience here at the Met brings nothing but the highest potential of artistry from each one of us. He provides dancers with a safe place to grow and provides the Met with the best dancers for any challenging productions. It is impossible to imagine not having Joe as he is such an integral part of this institution.
M
Marisol Cabrera
8 years ago
Featured
Joe is the heart of the Dance Dept at the MET. Always professional, supportive and caring. Goes above and beyond making sure the dancer's concerns are addressed, we feel safe and only have to worry about doing our job.
What a terrible loss it would be to not have Joe around.
I am working in the Merry Widow this year. I do not know Joe well, but he was very helpful when I was signing this contract and seems like a really great guy. I hope he can keep working at the Met!
These suggestions are deplorable? Why? Because I can think 10 other ways to lower the budget w/o compromising the “Product”!!!!
Working at The Met has always been a professional and pleasant experience, this is all because of Joe's professional, kind and fair approach to his dancers. Needless to mention his comprehensive knowledge about the day to day operation in the house. I hope you will reconsider the early retirement offer.
The MET needs Joe Fritz
It is beyond absurd to force Joe Fritz into an early retirement. His dedication and professionalism to the dancers of the Metropolitan Opera, the artistic process on all levels and to the company itself is nothing short of exemplary. He has illustrated a profound love and belief in his craft. The Metropolitan Opera is so lucky to have a Dance Director at the prime of his career, never mind with his comprehensive understanding of the standard repertoire and his commitment to documenting movement in new productions. The dance component without Joe Fritz would be like having the music of an opera performed without a Conductor. It just doesn't work! The dancers need him, the Opera needs him, and most importantly the patrons deserve to have him help maintain The Metropolitan Opera's reputation as one of the world's finest. Every major Opera company has a dedicated dance department to ensure that the history and decorum of opera remains the cross-road for the highest value of set design, costuming, musicianship, the voice and dance. To Mr. Gelb and to The Board of The Metropolitan Opera, our art form as we know it is dying, and another step like this will ensure our long term failure. Opera is a grand spectacle, and probably the best representation of the artistic achievements of our society. Don't help in assisting its downfall by taking away an essential and necessary part of our company. We are a family of hard professionals dedicated to our craft and to the company, a move like this displays a general disregard for our hard work and dedication; Especially, by bullying an individual that has worked tirelessly for you for over 30 years. Please keep Joe in his rightful position as Dance Director.
Joe's wealth of knowledge and experience is indispensable to us all and a tremendous asset to the Met that we would all be at a loss without. He deserves far more respect for his decades of service to the Met than he is being shown by this proposal.
After 44 years at the met in several positions, dancer, ballet mistress and dance director I know how the dept functions and the needs of a complex way of working. Joe is perfect person in this position. I know what it takes to run the dept with so many part time dancers and the amount of work in the studio and office that is needed. The dept cannot function with only one person or anyone not totally familiar with the unique way dance is integrated in to the productions. I fear for the entire Met and not only dance dept. Quality is the product and do not see how it can continue with a diminished dept and loss of someone so valuable as Joe Fritz.
Dancer since 2009
I've known Joe for many years . He has always been a respectful , kind and compassionate person and leader . His understanding of what it means to be a dancer at The Met , and the intricate details of how to make things work behind the scenes are irreplaceable .
I have known Joe since 1990 while I was a student at NJBallet, and I am currently now in the ballet company and on faculty in our ballet school. He was one of my teachers and was filled with a wealth of knowledge and leadership and if it weren’t for teachers and mentors like him, we would have no future.
Extra Dancer since 2009
Joe Fritz is an integral part of The Met productions. His experience, talent and professionalism are of inestimable value to the organization. I urge you to strongly consider keeping Joe as the leader of this incredibly important dance department. Thank you very much. Monica Trogani Former Rehearsal Director Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Former Ballet Mistress Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal Alberta Ballet Dance Theatre of Long Island Former Company Member New Jersey Ballet
Assistant Director of New Jersey Ballet
Joe has been a staple since I began working at the Met 5 years ago and I would absolutely hate to see him go.
Please keep Joseph Fritz as dance director at The MET. I have known Joe for 35 years and we were partners at New Jersey Ballet for five of those years. His experience is invaluable to your company and you wod be hard pressed to find a better person to put in his place!
Joe has given his heart and soul to the Metropolitan Opera. He has dedicated almost his entire career to this organization. This should command the respect of the organization. The dance department is the fabric that gives so much magic to the Operas. Joe is need to maintain this magic. In addition his ability to remount and remember ballets is priceless.
No one has as much knowledge as Joe about the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. His 30 years of contribution and experience here at the Met brings nothing but the highest potential of artistry from each one of us. He provides dancers with a safe place to grow and provides the Met with the best dancers for any challenging productions. It is impossible to imagine not having Joe as he is such an integral part of this institution.
Joe is the heart of the Dance Dept at the MET. Always professional, supportive and caring. Goes above and beyond making sure the dancer's concerns are addressed, we feel safe and only have to worry about doing our job.
Keeping the arts alive