Seattle Opera to rehire 180 people thanks to federal loan

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Opera will be able to rehire 180 workers for a period of time due to a $2.3 million loan that it received under the federal coronavirus stimulus plan, it said in a statement.

Previously, the company had reported layoffs for 215 artist and production jobs after Seattle Opera canceled “La bohème,” plus 12 administrators, The Seattle Times reported. The opera also cut salaries for the remaining staff who earn more than $50,000.

The 12 administrators on furlough will be rehired for eight weeks, and employees who’d taken salary cuts will be restored to full pay for the same duration, the opera said.