Helping a Worthy Cause by Flexing a New Freedom

By VIVIEN SCHWEITZER [NY Times, 14 November 2006]
There was a festive atmosphere at the Richard Tucker Music Foundationís annual gala on Sunday at Avery Fisher Hall. This was largely because Peter Gelb, the new general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, has raised the iron curtain that previously barred singers under Met contract from appearing at fund-raising benefits.