Met Opera Ash Sprinkler Apologizes for Ruining Performance

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The man who caused a scare at the Metropolitan Opera when he sprinkled the ashes of his "mentor" into the orchestra pit has written an apology letter.

Roger Kaiser, who was fulfilling the wish of his dead friend Terry Turner, forced the Met to evacuate when he was seen spreading the mysterious powder substance during Saturday night's performance of "Guillaume Tell." The Met also ended up cancelling a performance of "L’Italiana in Algeri" scheduled for later that night.

At a press conference Saturday, John Miller, Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism, said authorities spoke to witnesses who indicated that Kaiser was visiting from out of town to sprinkle the ashes of his opera mentor into the orchestra pit.

Kaiser, in an apology letter published by the New York Times, described the incident as: "A sweet gesture to a dying friend that went completely and utterly wrong in ways that I could never have imagined."

The "devoted opera enthusiast" addressed his letter to Peter Gelb, general manager of The Met, and the opera community his actions effected, including the audience and performers.

Despite costing The Met thousands due to the cancelled performances the opera and police decided not to charge Kaiser. Gelb even responded to Kaiser's message, saying he appreciated Kaiser's sincere apology.

"Although your action on behalf of your friend caused the members of our company several anxious hours, severely disappointed our audiences, and cost the Met, its artists and the City many thousands of dollars, I appreciate the sincerity of your apology and the innocence of your intentions, even though misguided. I trust that your future visits to the Met will be without incident, and that you will continue to proselytize about your love of opera to all those who will listen," Gelb's apology reads.

>>> Read Kaiser's full apology letter in the New York Times

Photo: Blehgoaway via Wikimedia Commons