New York City is one of the world’s cultural capitals. Movies are shot here, celebrities worldwide come here to perform and the city’s theaters and operas continue to delight locals and tourists with exciting venues. Performing at New York’s Metropolitan Opera is an honor for its stars, and it is the dream of all connoisseurs of the fine arts to see them perform. Such stars as Caruso, Callas, and Pavlova performed on the Metropolitan Opera stage. The audience included U.S. presidents, kings of various countries, and wealthy sheiks. The Metropolitan Opera House is not just a place where the arts flourish but a real landmark in the metropolis. Learn more at new-york-future.
Metropolitan Opera History and Architecture
In 1880 in New York City, a group of philanthropists who were great fans of opera decided to establish an opera troupe. New York patrons financed the project of the famous architect J. Cleaveland Cady. Thus, a building was built on Broadway, where the artists began to perform. The official opening occurred in October 1883. The first opera was Faust. The team of novice artists waited to stage their premieres for a long time. They only produced so-called theme seasons. German and Italian operas were mainly staged.
In 1892 the Metropolitan Opera survived a fire. Nonetheless, the building was rebuilt relatively quickly. At the beginning of the 20th century, the opera’s repertoire became much broader. It was apparent that it needed a new building. However, due to the crisis in the country and lack of funding, the idea had to be abandoned. The Metropolitan Opera moved only in 1966. The troupe began performing in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. By then, the Metropolitan Opera had a whole army of admirers and New Yorkers called it the Met.
Wallace K. Harrison was appointed author of the new design for the Metropolitan Opera. The building is designed in a neo-Italian style and provides perfect acoustics. When one enters the Metropolitan Opera, one immediately marvels at its grandeur and monumentality. Every detail is very exquisite and unique. The vast hall of five tiers can simultaneously receive up to 4 thousand spectators. The ceiling is striking in its luxury. It is covered with gold leaf and 11 crystal chandeliers. In 1995 a unique system of simultaneous translation was installed in the hall. Thanks to it, spectators worldwide can read the libretto in their native language.
The Metropolitan Opera is an incredible artistic masterpiece. The curtain, embroidered with silk and gold threads and weighing several hundred kilograms, deserves special attention.
Features of the Met’s work and most famous performances
Most performances seen on the Metropolitan Opera stage are already considered world classics. Every season there are more than 200 performances. Every one of the opera productions is fantastic. Everyone who has ever been here dreams of returning to the Met again. Among the most popular productions are Tristan und Isolde, The Magic Flute, La Traviata and Vanessa. Each performance is performed in its original language and available online on the official website.
One can attend any day except Sundays. The theater season runs from September through April. The troupe tours and does charity work in all the other months, performing for free in New York City parks and squares.
During the entire period, the Metropolitan Opera has hosted world-renowned stars (Leonard Warren, Inge Borkh, Rosina Galli, Teresa Berganza and many others). However, this is just a small list of outstanding artists the Met’s guests see on stage.
