By Jeff Myers
Also known as the Met, the Metropolitan Opera House initially opened in the late 60's and has been captivating audiences ever since. The opera house is the home of the the Big Apple's finest operatic entertainment, which has been offering entertainment since 1883. The Met is located in the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, on Broadway between 63rd and 64th streets.
Chagall Murals
The first of the Metropolitan Opera House's fascinating features are the two murals created by Marc Chagall that are viewable in the Met's lobby.. The first mural is called "The Triumph of Music" and the other "The Sources of Music". Both murals can be seen from the Lincoln Center Plaza.
Strong Pedigree
The Metropolitan Opera House was designed by Wallace Kirkman Harrison. Harrison was a Massachusetts born architect and designer who has had a hand in many public projects around NYC, including Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.
Extra Stages
Chagall Murals
The first of the Metropolitan Opera House's fascinating features are the two murals created by Marc Chagall that are viewable in the Met's lobby.. The first mural is called "The Triumph of Music" and the other "The Sources of Music". Both murals can be seen from the Lincoln Center Plaza.
Strong Pedigree
The Metropolitan Opera House was designed by Wallace Kirkman Harrison. Harrison was a Massachusetts born architect and designer who has had a hand in many public projects around NYC, including Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.
Extra Stages
The Met replaced an older metropolitan opera house on 39th Street and Broadway. An interesting fact is that the dimensions of the key stage of the older house and the new house are about the same, but the new opera house has about hextuple the area, as the designers added additional stages in the rear and to the sides of the house.
A Short Lived
The initial performance at the new Met the opera Samuel Barber's Antony and Cleopatra. The opera premiered on the 16th of September in 1966. It starred Leontyne Price as Cleopatra and Justino Diaz as Mark Antony. Alas, the opera bombed, and the Met shortly dropped it from its repertory.
The Big Curtain
Interestingly the Met has the very biggest front curtain on the planet. The front curtain is the drape that hangs behind the proscenium arch, and is made of golden damask.
Longest Performer
Charles Antony has the distinction of the artist that has given the most performances at the Met. Charles Antony is a tenor that made his debut on March 6, 1954 at the old Met. Surprisingly, Antony is still performing at the new Met today, with over 2,000 performances to date.
Famous Debuts
29 operas have premiered at the Met. The premieres include The Great Gatsby, The Ghosts of Versailles, The Voyage and others.
British Invasion
The Who was the inductory rock group to perform at the Met Around 1970. Who knew?
Strange but True True
Tenor Richard Versalle died in a performance at the Met. Versalle died on the 5th of January in 1966 in the middle a performance of "The Makropulos Case", after singing "You can only live so long". The tenor was on a ladder, had a heart attack, and plunged to the stage in a truly
A Short Lived
The initial performance at the new Met the opera Samuel Barber's Antony and Cleopatra. The opera premiered on the 16th of September in 1966. It starred Leontyne Price as Cleopatra and Justino Diaz as Mark Antony. Alas, the opera bombed, and the Met shortly dropped it from its repertory.
The Big Curtain
Interestingly the Met has the very biggest front curtain on the planet. The front curtain is the drape that hangs behind the proscenium arch, and is made of golden damask.
Longest Performer
Charles Antony has the distinction of the artist that has given the most performances at the Met. Charles Antony is a tenor that made his debut on March 6, 1954 at the old Met. Surprisingly, Antony is still performing at the new Met today, with over 2,000 performances to date.
Famous Debuts
29 operas have premiered at the Met. The premieres include The Great Gatsby, The Ghosts of Versailles, The Voyage and others.
British Invasion
The Who was the inductory rock group to perform at the Met Around 1970. Who knew?
Strange but True True
Tenor Richard Versalle died in a performance at the Met. Versalle died on the 5th of January in 1966 in the middle a performance of "The Makropulos Case", after singing "You can only live so long". The tenor was on a ladder, had a heart attack, and plunged to the stage in a truly
Interestingly the Met has the very biggest front curtain on the planet. The front curtain is the drape that hangs behind the proscenium arch, and is made of golden damask.
Longest Performer
Charles Antony has the distinction of the artist that has given the most performances at the Met. Charles Antony is a tenor that made his debut on March 6, 1954 at the old Met. Surprisingly, Antony is still performing at the new Met today, with over 2,000 performances to date.
Famous Debuts
29 operas have premiered at the Met. The premieres include The Great Gatsby, The Ghosts of Versailles, The Voyage and others.
British Invasion
The Who was the inductory rock group to perform at the Met Around 1970. Who knew?
Strange but True True
Tenor Richard Versalle died in a performance at the Met. Versalle died on the 5th of January in 1966 in the middle a performance of "The Makropulos Case", after singing "You can only live so long". The tenor was on a ladder, had a heart attack, and plunged to the stage in a truly dramatic performance.
About the Author:
Longest Performer
Charles Antony has the distinction of the artist that has given the most performances at the Met. Charles Antony is a tenor that made his debut on March 6, 1954 at the old Met. Surprisingly, Antony is still performing at the new Met today, with over 2,000 performances to date.
Famous Debuts
29 operas have premiered at the Met. The premieres include The Great Gatsby, The Ghosts of Versailles, The Voyage and others.
British Invasion
The Who was the inductory rock group to perform at the Met Around 1970. Who knew?
Strange but True True
Tenor Richard Versalle died in a performance at the Met. Versalle died on the 5th of January in 1966 in the middle a performance of "The Makropulos Case", after singing "You can only live so long". The tenor was on a ladder, had a heart attack, and plunged to the stage in a truly dramatic performance.
About the Author:
Jeff Myers has been fascinated by all of the great events held at the Metropolitan Opera House for a number of years. He has written many articles about several topics, please look for his writing here.