Cinema VinesIn a surprising twist for the Metropolitan Opera, a boa constrictor named Princess has been selected to play a starring role in the company’s upcoming production of Mozart’s “Così fan tutte.” The unusual casting choice was the result of a rigorous audition process that included not only human performers but also the snakes themselves. The Met’s production, which reimagines the classic opera in a 1950s Coney Island carnival setting, required a reptilian presence that could command the stage and interact safely with the cast and crew.
Zoe Ziegfeld, a former carnival performer who now serves as the snake handler for the Met, led the selection. With a background that includes performing eight snake‑charming shows a day on Coney Island, Ziegfeld brings firsthand experience to the role. She evaluates each snake by allowing it to slither, wrap around, and then hoist it over her head while rehearsing the onstage actions. “I need to know that the animal is comfortable with people and with what we are doing,” Ziegfeld explained, emphasizing the importance of the snake’s demeanor and safety.
Princess emerged as the winner of the cold‑blooded competition, praised for her size and visual presence on stage. Ziegfeld noted that the trial period is more about assessing the handler’s own strength than the snake’s abilities. “We will be moving forward with Princess in rehearsals on a trial basis! She is a wonderful snake, and the trial is not about her, but rather about me and my strength,” she wrote in an email after the auditions concluded. A slightly smaller brown boa constrictor named Nala will serve as Princess’s understudy.
The Met’s adaptation of “Così fan tutte” retains the original plot—two Italian soldiers testing their lovers’ fidelity through deception—but transposes the setting to a vibrant, mid‑century carnival complete with sideshow performers. Ziegfeld’s own history on Coney Island, including a daring Human Blockhead act where she knocked a nail into her nasal cavity, underscores the parallels between the circus and the opera house. “The music’s different. The money is different. It’s a pleasure to entertain. And with snakes, it’s a delight to know that there are people watching who are in awe and people who are terrified,” she said, highlighting the shared thrill of live performance.
The snakes were sourced through Nancy Novograd and her company All Tame Animals, a firm that has supplied the Met with a range of animals—from elephants to insects. Novograd noted that the key to a successful audition is the animal’s personality, as the first two snakes auditioned were smaller and might have conflicted with Ziegfeld’s top. The Met’s willingness to incorporate live animals into its productions marks a bold move that blends traditional opera with the spectacle of carnival entertainment.
