NEW York’s Metropolitan Opera reached pay deals with two of its largest unions today while negotiations continued with 10 others.

The US Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service announced agreements with American Federation of Musicians Local 802 and with the American Guild of Musical Artists.

It did not give any details of the agreements reached.

Met general manager Peter Gelb had demanded pay cuts of about 17 per cent, saying production costs had skyrocketed.

Management also wanted to slash pensions and healthcare benefits.

Union members said that was unwarranted, given the Met’s $2.8 million (£1.7m) deficit on a budget of $326m (£195m).

Fifteen unions representing about 2,500 singers, musicians, stagehands, carpenters and others have been negotiating since February.

Three reached new agreements earlier his month.

Hundreds of performers have been rallying in front of the Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts, wearing T-shirts saying: “United for the Metropolitan Opera.”