While McCormack said WHRB listeners are "gushing with gratitude" over the station's decision, William W. Campbell, CEO of Charles River Broadcasting, has received "death threats" over his decision to end his station's broadcast of the Met Opera.

He defends his decision, however, saying it was next to impossible to work with the Met, who "would negotiate nothing."

Pamela Rasp, labor operations director for the Metropolitan Opera, dismissed Campbell's complaints.

"Naturally, the Met and Texaco are disappointed that WCRB decided not to carry us any longer, but we are absolutely delighted that WHRB has decided to carry us," Rasp said. "We think the Met is a good fit with the other programming on WHRB."

According to McCormack, the Met approached WHRB after WGBH-FM, 89.7, Boston's public radio station, declined the broadcast due to previously scheduled programming for the Saturday afternoon time slot.

The Met has also contracted with the Beverly-based WBOQ-FM, 104.9, to air the opera broadcasts and is currently looking for other carriers in Western Massachusetts and on the Cape because of WHRB's limited range.

WHRB also airs recordings from the Cleveland and Chicago Symphony Orchestras and has its own "Sunday Night at the Opera" program from 8 p.m. until midnight on Sunday.