Performers who dreamed of appearing at the Metropolitan Opera have tried many things over the decades, but until this week none have ever used their teeth to lift a director off the floor.

In what will surely go down in the annals of opera as one of the most unusual auditions ever held at the Met, the British director Phelim McDermott was at the theater on Tuesday evening, casting his new production of Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte” for next season, when he asked one of the aspirants the usual question: “Do you want to do something?”

That is the point where a tenor might let rip with a little Verdi. But in this case, Mr. McDermott was not looking for a strong voice, but a strongman. His production of “Così” is set in a Coney Island-like seaside, among sideshows and carnies. His would-be strongman, a heavily tattooed, pierced and bearded man who performs as Titano Oddfellow, had an idea.

“Do you want me to do teeth-lifting?” he asked.

An obliging Mr. McDermott agreed to lie plank-like on the floor while Titano, delivering a well-honed patter in a slight brogue, affixed a leather harness to the nervous-looking director.