Metropolitan Opera Recycled Archived Costumes
Designer Montana Levi Blanco repurposed nearly 800 archival pieces for two upcoming Metropolitan Opera productions.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Opera
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Costume designer Montana Levi Blanco has utilized the Metropolitan Opera costume archives in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, to outfit two upcoming shows. He modified hundreds of existing garments to create new looks for the upcoming stage productions.
Why it matters
The reuse of archived costumes, originally designed by artists like Franco Zeffirelli and Milena Canonero, streamlines production logistics and enables the creation of distressed aesthetics for characters in new works.
Designer Montana Levi Blanco modified 800 archival costumes for two upcoming shows. This inventory includes pieces from prior designs by Franco Zeffirelli and Milena Canonero.
The players
Montana Levi Blanco
He is a costume designer responsible for managing the repurposing project for current Metropolitan Opera productions.
Metropolitan Opera
This is a prominent opera company based in New York City that maintains a vast costume archive in New Jersey.
Timothy Church
He serves as the costume supervisor who assisted in selecting garments from the company's storage facility.
Franco Zeffirelli
He was an Italian director and designer known for his elaborate work on various historic opera productions.
Milena Canonero
She is an Academy Award-winning costume designer whose past work for the opera was sourced for these new productions.
The details
Blanco and supervisor Timothy Church sourced garments from the New Jersey facility, applying textile paint, netting, and unique textures to alter their original appearance. The process aims to provide specific character aesthetics, such as the distressed look required for the ghosts in the upcoming premiere.
Timeline
1964: Franco Zeffirelli designed a suit for Falstaff.
2000: Paul Brown designed a gown for Il Trovatore.
2009: Milena Canonero designed gowns for Tosca.
September 23, 2026: New production of Macbeth opens.
October 19, 2026: World premiere of Lincoln in the Bardo opens.
Industry Dynamics
This repurposing strategy reflects a broader trend among major cultural institutions to maximize the utility of historical assets while managing production costs. By integrating pieces from past iconic designs, the company maintains a connection to its artistic legacy while evolving its visual narrative.
Attendees at the upcoming performances can view the modified historical costumes firsthand when the productions open this fall. These shows provide an opportunity for the public to experience how legacy design elements are transformed for contemporary storytelling.
The takeaway
Repurposing archival garments allows designers to blend historical craftsmanship with modern creative needs. This practice highlights how theater companies can efficiently maintain high production values while honoring their past archives.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming performances in the city, visit the Opera section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The New York Times.
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