According to Rolling Stone, which first reported the complaint, Taylor flew from North Carolina to Wyoming with less than a week to rehearse and was taken to Cody High School, where he was ushered into the band room and locked inside.

The filing states: "Defendants locked the door and ordered Taylor to work until the opera was done." Taylor was expected to compose much of the music and make the production performance-ready in just four days.

What makes this case surprising for vocal and opera watchers is the sheer scale of the alleged improvisation behind a Hollywood Bowl production.

Billboard reports that Taylor's lawyers write there was "no music, no score, no lyrics, no plan — in their place: a barren room, a few other performers, and a directive to compose, orchestrate, and rehearse an opera from scratch."

The 45-minute opera premiered in November 2019 and was performed only once, with the Los Angeles Times memorably dubbing it a "Nebuchadsnoozer."

Rolling Stone adds that more than 150 performers were involved, and that Taylor and other musicians allegedly sat and slept on the cramped band room floor because the space offered no place to rest.

Taylor claims he was lured with promises of "lucrative compensation, producer credit, and future work," but says nearly seven years later he has not been properly paid.

Billboard reports that his lawyers allege West later incorporated Taylor's arrangements into albums and concerts, "continuing to earn millions from Taylor's work, all while denying Taylor compensation and credit."

Rolling Stone says the suit specifically names "Telekinesis," a Travis Scott track crediting Ye as co-writer, and several songs from *Vultures 2*.

Taylor also alleges he was told the operas were charitable religious productions whose proceeds would "save souls," an assertion the complaint calls a lie, claiming ticket profits were pocketed instead.

The suit seeks a copyright declaration, a share of profits, and damages for alleged fraud, false imprisonment, and unfair business practices.

This is not the first legal fight over the opera, and Ye has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing — this is a civil case. Billboard notes a spokesman for Ye did not immediately return a request for comment on Friday, Nov. 13.

Fellow musician Willie Alexander filed a similar lawsuit last year, claiming he was "shocked" to find the opera unwritten; Rolling Stone reports that case remains pending in Los Angeles County Superior Court with a mandatory settlement conference set for Jan. 12, 2027.

Separately, Ye agreed to a $1.35 million class-action settlement for performers and workers, approved in July 2025, with more than 600 class members paid — though Rolling Stone says 257 checks totaling $277,210 went uncashed by the deadline, and a status hearing is set for Dec. 8.