In a bold and attention-grabbing move, climate activists from the New York chapter of Extinction Rebellion (XR) interrupted a performance at Manhattan's Metropolitan Opera House on Thursday evening, November 30. The demonstration aimed to draw attention to the urgent issue of environmental degradation of Earth's water resources.

The disruption occurred during the second act of the opera Tannhäuser, composed by Richard Wagner in 1845. As the characters sang about a natural spring, three protesters seated in the third-level balconies unfurled two banners that read "No Opera on a Dead Planet." Their chants echoed through the theater, emphasizing the impact of climate change on the tainted spring.

Met Opera staff swiftly closed the stage curtains and took action to escort the protesters out of the premises. Captured footage from several angles shows the demonstrators being forcibly removed amid a mix of boos and applause from the audience.

The disruption lasted for a total of 22 minutes, as confirmed by representatives for the Met Opera. Their email statement highlighted that the safety and security of everyone present at the event were their top priority. To discourage any further actions, the lights were dimmed, and the performance continued.

The actions of the climate activists garnered a mixed response from attendees. While some expressed frustration and disapproval, others saw the demonstration as a form of art and a valid protest. Regardless of individual opinions, it is clear that the issue of climate change and its impact on Earth's water resources resonated with many of the operagoers in attendance.

This protest follows a series of actions taken by XR recently, including a disruption at a Christie's auction in Midtown Manhattan. The group's activism has previously led to the closure of Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum during a planned protest in September.

The Metropolitan Opera House encounter concluded with the activists being escorted out of the building, and police officers arriving on the scene shortly after. It is worth noting that no arrests were made, as confirmed by the New York City Police Department spokesperson.

John Mark Rozendaal, one of the three protesters, identified as a New York-based classical musician. Outside the theater, he expressed his frustrations with society's inaction on climate change, stating, "We're acting like insane people because the society we live in is acting insane."

The demonstration at the Met Opera House served as a powerful reminder that urgent action is needed to address the environmental degradation of Earth's water resources. As climate activists continue to raise their voices and disrupt cultural events, it is evident that the call for a sustainable future is gaining momentum.

Note: The article has been updated to correct the reference to the character portrayed during the disruption.