The tier is still grand at the Metropolitan Opera. It’s just not the Vilar Grand Tier. Saying it was reacting to “funding commitments which have not been met,” the opera confirmed yesterday that it had taken down foot-high metal letters honoring Alberto W. Vilar, the free-wheeling arts benefactor, from a wall on the third floor of the opera house at Lincoln Center. Menu covers with Mr. Vilar’s name in the Grand Tier restaurant were also thrown out. [story]