Metropolitan Opera House

Lincoln Center's Metropolitan Opera House is an absolutely incredible place. I recently visited for the first time to attend Rigoletto with a girlfriend, and we had the best experience!! The opera itself was AMAZING, but I have to say that the Met Opera House's atmosphere really enhanced our visit. As you can see in the photographs attached in this review, the ambience is nothing short of decadent. This goes for inside the theatre as well. As a whole, this venue is absolutely stunning!! Of note, they have bars available on each floor for drink + alcohol purchases before shows and at intermission. Some of the bars have snacks available as well. Throughout the theatre, the staff were incredibly kind & accommodating during our visit!! I'm really looking forward to seeing more shows at this venue.

We went to see the Harry Connick jr tribute to Cole Porter. Orchestra and him were amazing. The venue is old school, seats comfortable, great view even from the balcony area. Sound is really good. Get tickets ahead of time.

Lincoln’s Center Metropolitan Opera House is a beautiful place to visit and enjoy any kind of show. It is a state of the art venue with outstanding facilities and elegance. We saw the Tribute to Cole Porter which was written and performed by Harry Connick Jr. and his Orchestra and was an extremely creative, informative and entertaining piece. It is a must when living or visiting New York!

Had an overall great experience. Went attended the fridays under 40 reception before the opera started and it was a nice spread for it being complimentary. It was my and my partners first opera experience and we definitely will be going back.

Attended the family friendly holiday version of The Magic Flute. Definitely recommend for those that are new to Opera or taking young children, since the performance is cut down from the full version. My only recommendation would be that the restricted view seats in the top-level Family Circle are definitely restricted View and should not be your first choice if this is your first time to the Opera. The price was great but the seats closest to the stage you definitely will not see the whole stage

The Metropolitan Opera is nothing short of magical. From the moment you walk into the grand lobby with its sparkling chandeliers and rich red carpets, you feel like you're stepping into another world—a world of elegance, drama, and timeless beauty. What truly sets the Met apart is the sheer quality of its performances. The singers are phenomenal, the kind of talent that sends chills down your spine, and the orchestra is breathtakingly good. Whether it’s a classic like La Bohème or something more modern, every production feels meticulously crafted. The sets and costumes? They’re like works of art themselves—so detailed and imaginative that you feel fully immersed in the story. What I love most about the Met, though, is how it’s not just for opera aficionados. It makes opera feel accessible. They have those handy subtitles on the seatbacks, so even if you’re not fluent in Italian or German, you’re never lost. And for people who can’t make it to New York, their Live in HD broadcasts in cinemas are a fantastic way to experience the magic. Yes, it can be pricey, but it’s worth every penny for a night like this. If you’ve never been, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s not just a performance—it’s an experience that stays with you long after the curtain falls.

The theatre was so grand, and magnificent. The Magic Flute show was classic, and the outfits were very extraordinary and colorful. I would recommend to watch it before it ends

Gorgeous Opera house! Staff were knowledgeable and very welcoming. Seating was comfortable, lovesd the subtitles, and the acoustics were amazing. Special mention to the housekeeping staff...everything was sparkling clean!

Baby's first Opera and it was magical! My cousin is a classically trained pianist and he was looking for someone to see the latest production of Carmen. As a fan of music in all forms, I volunteered as tribute. The opera house is quite beautiful and also quite big. Different vibe than a broadway theater for sure. Security was a breeze and staff very hospitable. We had family circle tickets, which hopefully my nose didn't bleed on the people below me, but all in all I was still able to see (the gentleman next to us brought binoculars, which isn't a bad move). I was there for the music mostly. That's not to say anything negative about the production. Actually I liked it better than I thought I would. The setting and stage direction were set in modern times and were giving Fast and Furious vibes. I wasn't mad about it! Carmen herself is not a nice woman. But no spoilers here So happy I was able to experience this. Something tells me it won't be my last opera.

Lincoln Center is a funny place. The grandeur of this iconic, modernist building -- with its towering columns and sweeping staircases, evokes a feeling of NY majesty -- as if you are entering a temple to the arts. If you look closer at the names on the stairs, the seat backs and perhaps even the bathroom faucets, you are also reminded that plenty will pay to be visibly associated with its legacy. This setting was the perfect backdrop to the emotive power of the Madame Butterfly performance this particular evening. I could say a lot of things about this opera -- beautiful, dated, a little weird with the puppets. However, I also discovered that night that transcendent Italian song also has sedative quality -- yeah I rested my eyes a bit. Sorry Cio-Cio-San!

excellent... love the Metropolitan Opera... and especially that my sister Djassi was in the show! Make sure you see the photo exhibit and artwork downstairs! A real Opera history down there!

There's no experience that compares to the NY Metropolitan Opera. There are many nearby hotels within an easy walking distance. In terms of the production, it's superb.

The Met Opera house was absolutely beautiful inside and it was my first time at the Opera so I didn't know what to expect but it was so fancy. All the seats have screens in front of them for subtitles. The staff was very friendly and helpful, clean bathrooms, & the show was great. I would definitely go back to watch another one.

Attending a performance at the Met Opera is always a treat, and my recent experience witnessing "Fire Shut Up in My Bones" was nothing short of captivating. From the moment the curtains rose to the final bow, I was enthralled by the powerful storytelling, exquisite music, and breathtaking performances. The service at the Met Opera was impeccable, with staff members ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish. From seating to providing information about the production, every interaction was met with professionalism and courtesy. As for the selection of "Fire Shut Up in My Bones," it was a brilliant choice. The opera, based on the memoir by Charles M. Blow, delves into themes of race, identity, and resilience with sensitivity and depth. The music, composed by Terence Blanchard, beautifully complemented the emotional journey of the characters, leaving a lasting impression on us and the audience.

The MET opera is an experience to be had. The acoustics are amazing in the opera house. I love all the decor and the shows are great. Very comfortable. I love the individualized subtitles, even though you are supposed to just experience the opera, not read it lol. They have had such great seasons the past few years.

Seen an opera here was a bucket list item for Jill and myself. We got to see Carmen. It was amazing. They put a slightly modern twist on it, but it didn't affect the quality of the show at all. In the rail in front of you there is a very discrete button that you can push and it types up a translation of what's being said in various languages you can choose. Overall, I can't recommend this place highly enough to see an opera.

This was my first experience at the Opera (we saw Madame Butterfly). The experience was great but the seats in the balcony were tight, small and uncomfortable. As a person with allergies, the carpet and velvet walls drove me crazy. Aside from those minor inconveniences, I had a good time.

Ah MET dear MET how do I LOVE thee⁉ Let me count the ways... I've loved this world class opera theater since my young days as a professional coloratura soprano studying alongside of NEC colleagues and later MET stars like Denyce Graves, Haijing Fu, Lisa Saffer, Ann Panagulias, to name a few. It's always magical, and bucket list worthy if you've never experienced it. WOW doesn't cover it. It's first class the way opera was meant to be enjoyed. Not a bad seat in the house. The feeling of excitement and inspiration as you sit and the iconic chandeliers begin to raise up, the light dim and the music begins! It's the transformative stuff of dreams. I can't possible write enough to describe the emotional and physical sensations. You are transported to another glorious entrancing world. Thank you Metropolitan opera, for keeping the art of centuries old tradition fresh and alive! It's one of the most lovely human art expressions in existence. You make us all artists proud‼

Gorgeous opera house, known to be a top 10 in the world. Modern architecture with beautiful light fixtures. Clear view of the stage from any seat in Orchestra. No dress code, but many people are dressed up. Fun night

The venue is gorgeous. A New York institution that is a rite of passage for anyone living here. Expect very expensive drinks, which is the only down side. Also Malcom X is a must-see.

We got Met opera tickets as a present from my mom, she decided that if we go to NYC, we MUST visit the opera :) Well, it took a lot of effort to convince my BF to go, but in the end we both liked it. They played Elixir of Live by Donizetti and the lead singers were really good. I have only been to opera in Toronto before, so, compared to our Canadian opera company, Met opera is a whole other category. Oh, well...

Came last night to see the Opera La Boheme. I had balcony seats. Love that there are small boxes infant of seats that give subtitles so you can understand because it is in Italian. It was beautiful. The seat design for all the different acts was absolutely stunning. My favorite was Act II. Two intermissions. The orchestra is so amazing. The conductor is great also. Definitely recommend. The interior is so gorgeous chandeliers for days.

I came here recently to see pewter grime, and I was amazed with the location and production. It truly is an experience. I give kudos to the staff and the performers, both of the actors and the musicians. I was surprised that wearing mask was not mandated. I went to see the opera few weeks before and everyone in my sectional was wearing a mask. I like the fact that there was a text screen behind each seat with the translations. I remember going way back where I had to brush up on my Italian before coming to see the opera. Some people dress up and others do now. I prefer to dress up because I have all these beautiful dresses in my closet, and they need to be in circulation.

Wow! Impressive and world class . Beautiful! Good staffing. Great architecture. Equal to Milan and Vienna.

The opera house is beautiful and it's definitely worth visiting at least once if you frequently visit or live in New York. We saw the opera Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner. They had the German translated into English subtitles on the back of every seat, which is wonderful because I wasn't familiar with the opera. There were two intermissions with ample time for drinks and a bathroom break. My only complaint was the other patrons, which I realize the theatre has no control over. The woman infront of us kept taking pictures. And the old couple sitting next to us were so angry the two times we asked to pass by them to get out for intermission. I could hear the woman talking loudly about how intermissions shouldn't be allowed as I was walking away. If you're too old to get up and out of a seat easily, they do have handicap accessible sections. No need to curse and make the people sitting next to you uncomfortable for exiting the theatre during the intermissions!

Happy to see the MET Opera survive the covid pandemic. Saw most of the titles this season, some twice. One of the highlights for me this season was Medea with the wonderful Ms. Sondra Radvanovsky. Why is she not performing next season??? But, I'm not happy with the new plans under GM Peter Gelb starting next season, staging less classical and more contemporary operas, in order to attract a much younger audience. Hint: They're not coming; Your tickets are too expensive.

Went here today to see the Lohengrin Opera today, just under 5 hours long with 2 intermissions. This Opera house is very large with many different levels. The performance and audio was quite impressive and we had a very good time. However, this place just looks old all over. Old carpet, old small restrooms with long lineups. Old decor throughout. You have to wonder why they haven't renovated this place, or just built a new one by now, especially with the high prices of tickets and drinks and food.

My mother & I attended a performance of La Boheme on Sunday, November 5. It was an outstanding show, immaculately performed, designed and arranged. But I have a bone to pick with the Metropolitan Opera. I noticed that when the show ended we (and all attendees for that matter) weren't treated all that well. We were pretty much rushed out the door by several heavies (bouncer-looking dudes), who were yelling at people to leave. What's up with that? We paid a pretty penny to attend the performance. Do we not deserve to be treated respectfully once the show ends? I don't want to just get-in and get-out at the opera. The opera should be a communal experience for people to absorb the show and then take their time, stick around and discuss. This isn't the MSG. The Met Opera gets so many things right in terms of the ambience of the opera, in terms of the performances themselves. But the social aspect of the experience and the denouement feel completely wrong. The people working security here need to learn some manners and be reminded that they're not working at a strip club.

Taking in an opera at the Met is a wonderful experience. The shows and talent are always a treat and the set design is on point. It's definitely something to experience at least once in your lifetime. There is adequate legroom in the Grand Tier and all seats have a little screen that translates the opera into English, German, Italian, or Spanish

I realize that this is one of the great cultural institutions of the western world, but hear me out. In 32 years of living here, we had never been to the Met. Sadly, it was to be our first and last visit. We live on Long Island, and rely on the Long Island Railroad to get us to the city. On this day, the 1:25 train decided that they could take an extra 20 minutes to come by Merrick. This got us into Penn Station almost at curtain time. We still had to take the #1 up to 66th street, which means we raqn up at about 3:15. After ticket check we were waved over to a corridor that led to the rest rooms. Others were milling about and lots more arrived. We assumed that we would quietly be led to our expensive ($350 ) seats at some point. We were wrong. We were told that we would have to sit out the entire first act - more than an hour. But wait! There was a screening room next door, where you could presumably get a better view ot the show we were missing than offered by the 40 inch monitor in front of our couch. We were so disgusted that we just sat it out. After the hour, we found our actual seats, and witnessed the last two acts. They were well played and well sung and generally spectacular, but we couldn't help feeling that we had been ripped off. Again, on most days the opera probably deserves all of those 5 star reviews. We weren't there on a good day. As momentous as they are, they treated me badly and made my wife cry. In doing so, they have spawned two enthusiastic enemies for life.

Memories! As we start getting older, we relish some of our memories, & consider them priceless! I have been fortunate, over the years that I have lived, in NYC to go to Lincoln Center, & enjoy the Ballet & also the Opera House! The other day out of the blue, I started to remember that a coworker that I had years ago, at the very beginning of my career, was an avid Opera fan! Ms. A. H. was a contributor & a member of LC Opera, & she received certain benefits for her contributions. She lived by herself, in a small studio, close to LC & Zabar's! Her 2 Favorite Spots in NYC!. During our relationship, she asked me if I had a favorite Opera! I immediately answered: Carmen & Madam Butterfly. She was nice enough to invite me, to go with her to see a rehearsal, of: Carmen. It was SO interesting! We were sitting on the balcony with other contributors, & we could see everything perfectly well, & hear everything perfectly well, & I do remember that the director only interrupted the rehearsal once! Clearly, everyone on stage knew exactly what was expected of them, where they should on stage at any given time, etc.!. I witnessed a behind the scenes event, & ended up with a very unique & wonderful memory! Theatre can be a wonderful form of escapism! One of the many memories that I have by now of: NYC! The Beautiful Big Apple!

I saw two operas this week and Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin was my favorite. Like many operas, this has a plot that wouldn't work today. Tatiana likes the new guy in the village, Eugene. She writes him a passionate letter and he basically says meh. The village has a party and Eugene is peeved at his friend Lensky for bringing him. What does Eugene do? He flirts with Lensky's girlfriend, Olga, and dances with her. This leads to a duel between Eugene and Lensky. Eugene shoots Lensky dead. At his point, a modern tale would have Eugene in jail with us wondering what the heck is wrong with Eugene. Not here. Life goes on. The opera takes it up a notch. Time passes. Tatiana moves to the city and marries a nice guy with status and money. She deserves it it. Good for her! Eugene is now in town after tormenting himself for killing his friend. He sees Tatiana at a party and now he wants her. He sends her a passionate letter. She meets him alone and acknowledges that she still loves him. What does he do? He claws at her and declares his love. Modern audiences would say that this Eugene guy is completely messed up and should be in jail anyway. Now how can Tatiana still have feelings for him? Don't succumb, Tatiana, you're better than that. Fortunately, Tatiana does resist him and walks away. Eugene is now completely distraught and he deserves it, right? Oh, the singing? The first act is a little slow but it builds in acts 2 and 3. There are some incredible solo and duet moments right up to the final curtain.

Rush ticketing system does not work. More options for broke people in NYC would be nice especially given the fact that it's a dying art form. Aside from that stellar... if I could only get in the door...

Spectacular! It was an honor to be at the Metropolitan Opera House and to see the works of the first black composer, Terence Blanchard! The theater and acoustics are fabulous! The seats are comfy! And so happy they have the subtitles at every seat so you can understand what the heck they are singing! Great experience!

Dead Man Walking made us cry. Very moving and star studded cast. I highly recommend the Metropolitan Opera.

One of the greatest cultural institutions in N.Y. Also presenting new. Works by living composers as well as classics in new versions. Best chorus And orchestra in the country.

I came here a little while ago to see Eurydice for the opera. The theater is absolutely great. The only thing that I do have to mention is that the languages/prompts are hard to read the way they are positioned in the seat. I'm not the biggest fan of the opera (what can I say... I don't have the taste for it.) The staff is extremely friendly and they do an incredible job making sure you feel safe (including checking vaccines and IDs). All in all, a fun event that you have to add to your NYC Bucket list. Make sure you come extra early to get pictures of the area.

The Metropolitan Opera house is a must visit place. This magnificent theater always have wonderful performances. We came for the Cinderella and I loved it! Highly recommend this place.

This was by far the worst experience I've ever encountered at an opera show in the U.S.A. I attended the Die Zauberflote show on May 19th at 7pm. I had concerns regarding the two ushers who made my night a living hell. I left by 8:30pm due to a male usher who bombarded me to be quiet while I was looking for my personal item in my bag quietly. I felt like I was being attacked for every movement I made and it made me extremely uncomfortable. I sat in a row pretty far from the stage as you can see in the photos attached. I was told by a female usher about 10 min before the show started that there were no phones allowed. I hadn't even taken my phone out as it was lighting up due to movement. Secondly I am not a child and I should not have felt this uncomfortable with my first experience at an opera in NYC and at this particular location. I have been to an opera show in Paris at the great Palais Garnier and this was subpar in comparison. If phones are not allowed than why didn't the usher tell the two folks whom were sitting two rows in front of me to stop recording during the performance? If you check the social media platform Tik Tok, you will see although not allowed there are numerous video recordings of the show at your location. Folks want to market your business hence record snippets of the performance which is a good thing. There is nothing wrong with collecting memories and in contrast, I can understand how this can be distracting to the performers. There were also two gentleman sitting behind me constantly talking during the performance but they were not addressed by your staff. I felt like I was being targeted and it was a feeling that I will never forget. I expressed this on my way out to another female usher who showed concern and more concern than the actual manager. I told the manager at the exit and I can tell he did not care about my complaint especially when I mentioned my aunt passed away two weeks ago and my phone was on silent but lighting up from text messages from family. Although that is not in's concern show some sympathy for another human being who is grieving! This was the first time I have left my home while grieving in hopes to lift my spirits up by going out to an opera show. I am a professional Doctor and to think I am being treated in a way less than respectable is disgusting and unacceptable. I will never return to this opera house nor give good recommendations to my colleagues, family or friends.

Walking up to the Metropolitan Opera House in the early evening with the beautiful water fountain is incredible. The building is so impressive with the lighted chandeliers and staircase. The people are dressed in their best with some evening gowns. We had tickets to La Boheme for just under $90 in the last row of orchestra. The Opera is in Italian but they have a subtitle display in front of your seat for translation. The singers, orchestra, and story was beautiful and of course a tragic ending as all operas are. During the first 25 minute intermission, those that have purchased pre-ordered dinners rush to the dining room where their dinner is on the assigned table. It is quite interesting. A wonderful experience.

In love I am with The Metropolitan Opera. My breath is still taken away every time I walk up their majestic scene of red, gold, and chandeliers. Plush are all of their seats. Beautiful is the curtain on stage. And, when the lights dim and the orchestra starts it's first notes, a chill rushes through me to a magical and lyrical state of mind. With each act, not only do I live through the arias, the soprano, and, the tenor, I also marvel at the staging, the set, the choreography, and, the lighting. Relishing for days I do of those four to six hours of pure bliss. CHEERS!

What a beautiful experience! What a beautiful venue! This was my very first time going to an Opera and it was totally amazing! The venue was clean and modern, womens restrooms were clean. Seating became a bit uncomfortable because of sitting in a position for so long, the Opera that we viewed was nearly 4 hours long! The show that we saw was Porgy and Bess! I didn't really pay attention to the ability to have the subtitles in the front of the seat so that you can follow the play, until the second act! I mostly got the gist of what the play was about but it was difficult to understand of course. But once I put the subtitles on, I realized how JUICY the story line was! So full of DRAMA and MAYHEM lol! And it was so tragic as well! Now I see why ppl that go to the Opera, go...ITS AMAZING! Def want to do it again, and for those of you that have never gone, Go! You won't regret it ;-)

My very first Opera. This is a MUST experience! The grandeur of being in Lincoln Center entering the Metropolitan Opera House going through the hall to your seat and just taken in the magnificent opera theater is breath taken. This is not like any place I have ever seen. I was seated in the Grand Tier on the mid left third row and had an excellent view of the stage. In the first ten rows are no seats this area has the complete full live Orchestra. then I realized there is a subtitles monitor in front of every seat that is in different languages. Once I began using this I was able to understand and then be blown away completely into this amazing opera. I definitely will return again. Also my son who took me to see the show loved it as well. If you like Broadway Musicals then you will love Metropolitan Opera House.​

There comes a time where one has a YOLO (you only live once) experience and this is one. The Met (Metropolitan Opera House) at Lincoln Center is truly a New York treasure which I haven't been inside since a grade school trip. Luckily we were able to get a wonderful backstage tour (pre-Covid) but not this building as there was a show that day. Through Goldstar, my partner and I were able to get reasonable tickets for Puccini's Tosca. A tragic story of passion and jealousy where the audience is transported back to 1800 Rome. Being the largest opera house in the world, everything is amazingly grand- the music, the elaborate stage settings and colorful costumes. The foyer is spacious, airy and beautiful and the levels seamlessly connected. The theater is beautiful and spacious. The seats are comfortable and the seat subtitle feature is very convenient. The chandeliers are awe-inspiring. For the Met's 50th anniversary, the famed artist Marc Chagall was commissioned to paint his iconic murals, The Triumphs of Music which stands above the bar. Do your soul a favor and go as we recommend this life time experience!

I attended a few operas here through the years and it is a beautifully designed, well organized and classy venue. My only qualm is the bathrooms are so outdated and they should renvo because during intermission, they should add a few more bathrooms.

The Metropolitan Opera is a gem in the NYC area and a huge reason to pop over the Upper West Side. Super accessible by the subway, you can't miss it. It's a stunning building with a gorgeous fountain outside that just makes you feel like you're ready for a glamorous evening out. They have a coat check for $3 a coat, a few levels of restrooms that are easily accessible, a bar and onsite restaurant if you want to make it a full evening out with drinks and a meal. They have subtitles on the seats in front of you, a live orchestra and their shows are always phenomenal. You're bound to a special evening out when you come here regardless of the performance. Whether it's your first time or 100th, the Metropolitan Opera never loses its magic.

We cannot say enough amazing things about The Metropolitan Opera. Over the past few months we've seen many operas and ballets(both ABT and NYCB), including Puccini's Madama Butterfly (twice), Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake(ABT) and Eugene Onegin, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet (ABT), as well as Mozart's The Mariage of Figaro. Of all the shows, our favorite has to be Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Which follows the captivating story of Cio-Cio-San through her life story, marriage, abandonment by her family, and many more ups and downs. This show is incredibly visually captivating and emotionally enthralling. The costumes and set are da definite highlight. We also highly recommend The Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. Particularly for Ying Fang's witty acting and sophisticated singing, as well as for Federica Lombardi's magical vocals.

My Aussie friend wanted to go to the Met Opera so much! She wanted to see Madama Butterfly due to the scheduling conflict, we went to see LaBoheme instead. This wasn't bad at all because the storyline was amazing and I cried the same way I watched the Transformers and Bumblebee movies. The ending was too sad. It's Opera! It's supposed to be sad! Anyway, before the tears and all we got to explore the Met Opera inside and outside the building. The outside there's a water fountain, of course. This is where you go to cool off during the summer, or perhaps throw a penny and make a wish! It's beautiful! Either way, what you do with your time outside the Met would be beautiful. Take a lot of pictures! If you go to this fountain in the afternoon, 2-3 hours before the show, you get to take a nice photo of this beautiful waiter fountain by itself with no one around it. It's awesome! The play was LaBoheme. It was such a beautiful performance by a few main characters. It was beautiful and sad. I had to use the English subtitle in front of my seat because I couldn't understand the language. We sat quite far because we got the rush tickets, but it was still a good area to enjoy the whole show. I came here to see a Ballet show once in late 90s. That was also a beautiful show that I always remember. Make sure you visit at least once in your lifetime.

Waste of money and waste of time. Literally go anywhere else. I was so excited to come to the ballet. Bought a ticket from their promotion to fill empty solo seats, which was the only reason I was coming alone. The GPS took my Uber driver to the back entrance and by the time I made it to the front it was 7:36. They wouldn't let me enter even though my seat was the end seat of the row. I was ushered to a hot room to watch the show on tv, which I could have done at home in the AC. Trash experience and left a bad taste in my mouth for the Met Opera. I won't be back and I won't recommend anyone else come either. I understand not ushering people in after 10 min of a show starting.. but 5-6 and sitting on the end.. should have been easy. I will never forget this experience.

Delightful place for the opera. Comfortable seating. Nice venue. This was my first time going to the opera and we just couldn't wait! For our first time, we picked La Boheme. Despite rushing after work to head here, trying to find parking, running in, we still managed to get there too late: right at 7pm when the show started. They're very strict at letting people in once it starts so you have to wait for the second act to go in. We were bummed to miss it and thought we would just have to waste the first 30 minutes of it and be lost forever. They're prepared for all the latecomers so they have a room, kind of the size of a movie theatre room, where you can watch it in a big screen and not miss a thing. Once we got to our seats, despite them not being the best seats in the house we still had a great time. The seats are comfortable and you have subtitles in at least 5 languages (English, Spanish, German, Italian, french). We had a great time and can't wait to be back for our next show in March! If you're super confused and stuck on what to wear like I was, you can't really go wrong with anything. We decided to go with cocktail attire but there were many people dressed formal as well as casual with jeans on. For a nice night out at the opera I definitely think you should go all out and stay classy. Might as well right?

The Met belongs to one of the most premiere performance halls of the world. It's the primary reason I will go to New York. Their performers are really top notch in the world. Every operatic great has performed there throughout their long history. Just ask Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, Jussi Bjoerling, etc . . . Their stage settings have gotten more and more sophisticated. Any student of theater would be impressed seeing them. If you know how to spot them, you will see billionaires, C.E.O.'s, famous politicians, etc... in the audience. The only thing is that ticket prices are high, and the acoustics could be better. But who cares.

Wife and I went to see Madame Butterfly at the Metropolitan Opera. My previous experiences with opera were with the Gilbert and Sullivan plays at the Lyric Theater in San Jose. The Metropolitan Opera is dazzling with floor to ceiling glass windows on multiple floors, amid acres of red carpet, elaborate wall designs and golden chandeliers. Security everywhere. We got two orchestra tickets each regular priced at $137 for $83, before $15 ticketmaster and restoration surcharges, on goldstar.com. Younger crowd than in San Jose, with lots of people dressed to the max, including ladies in skirts showing bare skin in 5" stilettos, despite the 40 degree weather. Inside, seating for 4,000 viewers, with 5 levels of mezzanines and balconies, dress circles on both side walls. Truly spectacular setting. We sit down, with empty stretches of seats here and there. Turns out that late arrivals are not seated until intermission! Opera in Italian with closed captioning subtitles in individual electronic screens on the back of the seats. Need subtitles even for operas in English! Saw Madame Butterfly, a story taking place in 19th century Japan. Japanese lady married to an American naval officer. Officer cheating on wife, wants a divorce. Brings home another wife, demanding full custody of the child. Despondent Japanese wife commits hari kari. Two intermissions. We had different neighbors after each intermission. Wife said that the first couple had moved forward into the empty seats. A second couple missed 2/3rds of the play. They waited until the end of the second intermission before evicting the first couple, who had to find their original seats in the dark! Saw some interesting shoe styles with a guy in a suit wearing leather fluffy mule shoes. I find out later they are $1000 Princetown leather slippers by Gucci! Check out my pictures. And I thought my $150 Hoka Bondi 5 shoes that I was wearing were pricey! Exceptional ambiance and setting, with great singing (as far as I can tell, as I am no Opera expert), costumes, and background props. Will be difficult going back to Gilbert and Sullivan at the Lyric theater in San Jose after this!

I went to my first opera earlier this year to see Madame Butterfly. First, the structure of The Met Opera House will blow you away. I know you've likely seen it on television, in movies and read about it in books but there is nothing like the first time experiencing it. A friend and I got cheap tickets. Granted we were seated way up top but it was still a remarkable experience. Also, we are both underpaid, overworked millennials, so we "ball on a budget." The performance was absolutely enchanting and entertaining and still amazing from where we were sitting. We did make the rookie mistake of not using the translator until toward the end of the first act. We both looked at each other and was wondering why the entire audience burst into laughter. I thought to myself, "dang, everyone knows Italian but me?" lol

I've watched many beautiful operas here and recently enjoyed Tosca. I've sat in many different locations and I have to caution people against sitting too far up and on the sides as the visibility is really poor. Anything in the center or lower levels offer better views of the stage. Great staff here. Box seats on the sides tend to be really cramped with very little leg room or space to pivot your chair. I'm always amazed at the beautiful and polite way in which people enter and exit this venue. It goes without saying that the interior is magnificent and grand. Tickets are available at a variety of price points from $30 standing room only to upwards of a couple of hundred dollars. The discounted standing room and back seats go on sale at noon day of the performance online (or four hours prior to matinee). What a wonderful cultural gem in NYC!

Obviously a wonderful music institution. The one star is for the ticketing website which seems broken in so many ways. Often when I try to buy rush tickets I get a message saying my card details are invalid. I try multiple cards from multiple banks, that work fine for other transactions. I call the Met office and they say it looks fine on their end but they can't process transactions for rush tickets over the phone. I call the bank and they say they don't even see the transactions going through. Today I finally got it to work after 35 mins of trying different things (waiting for the tickets to expire and getting a different set; different ways of entering my address; different cards; editing my account settings). I'm not even sure what it was to get it to work. I think the ticketing website was re-built a few years back and it has been like this ever since. Every time I get excited about a new production, at the same time I dread having to deal with this terrible website. I've seen other reviews that mention this, so why can't the Met fix this? And why is it not possible to process rush tickets over the phone? Perhaps they know about it but want to disincentivize people from getting rush tickets, who knows. Either way it sucks.

It's all been said already, mostly. One of the world's great venues for music, opera and dance. The Met is not a product of the 19th century and is not steeped in ancient history like the Mariinsky theaters (old and new) in St. Petersburg, Russia. Owing to its relative modernity and iconic architecture -- the Met is much more comfortable, user friendly and acoustically refined. We saw a Russian Ballet here last night -- Harlequinade. Whimsical. Ballet's version of an operetta -- kinda. Don't think my back could have handled this performance sitting in the creaky old wooden chairs at the old Mariinsky, where this ballet debuted in 1900. Same old chairs at the Mariinsky today. Sat in them for 3 hours last year. Ugh!! Food wise, I am not a big fan of the Grand Tier restaurant, which is adjacent to the grand tier of the opera house. I find it pretentious, with very average food and pricey. But I do so like their chocolate soufflé served steaming hot with a flute of champagne at intermissions. The soufflé and bubbly is decadent and indulgent in an old school -- Viennese sorta way. I have seen dozens of performances here over many years -- and every visit is eagerly anticipated and enjoyable. Even if classical music, opera and ballet are not your thing, GO ANYWAY for the experience. It's a genuine representation of primal human expression: dress up, dance and make music. I saw Pavarotti's final performance of Turandot here (he retired afterwards). His signature aria (Nesun Dorma) was electrifying -- I sat 6 rows from the stage and still have goosebumps thinking about it -- and every time I hear it re played. Emotional and breathtaking. He must have taken 12 standing ovations. Certain social and cultural experiences at the Met get chiseled into my brain like hieroglyphs; the emotional experience remains even if deeper meaning fades. Top Tip: Use TDF for tix if you can. It makes NYC theater affordable -- and the seats are often among the best in the house.

Beautiful opera house with great performances. This is where the opera and ballet are held. The chandeliers are gorgeous as is the staircase and red carpeting. Tickets can be expensive but the productions are top notch. There are discount tickets to the opera if you search for them. I believe students can purchase tickets for $25 or $35 if they register as a student on their website with valid student ID and purchase in person. That sounds like a great deal! If you attend a show here, I would recommend dressing up. You can wear whatever you please, but many people choose to dress up. It's just more fun that way! In regards to seats, I've sat in the rear orchestra and dress circle. The view from both those sections are great, but there is the overhang in the rear orchestra which makes it feel less open. If you choose box seats be aware that the view might be obstructed, you may not be able to see the far right or left of the stage. The higher up you go, the further you are from the stage. You can bring binoculars or opera glasses. Operas have subtitle panels in front of each seat. They usually have Spanish and German in addition to English. Only the person seated directly in front of the panel can see the light so it isn't distracting to other patrons. There are restrooms on each level which has toilets with foot operated flush pedals and drinks can be purchased before the show or during intermission.

In a fast-paced society characterized by lack of loyalty, an overdependence on technology, misconceptions regarding the true meaning of a work ethic, falsely ingratiating pretense and an inability to assume responsibility, we tend to forget that institutions are made up of human beings. One such individual who is a paragon of decency and expansive charisma is ticket scanner and usher James. For years, James has always greeted everyone- regardless of their economic, social or demographic background- in the most welcoming manner. He has the unique ability to make you feel like you are the only person entering the opera house- similar to a master performer like Frank Sinatra or Pavarotti whose powerful artistic hold was such that you felt you were the sole recipient of the collective manifestation of musical expression. Throughout the years, I recall taking girlfriends and family members who have since departed given the pandemic. Thanks to the incentive of a person like James, I can safely say their lives were enriched. Yes, we loved experiencing historical performances, but they all seemed to remember the professionally warm greeting that set the tone for the entire evening. These are the individuals whose interpersonal intelligence and overall integrity inspire us to be proud New Yorkers. The Metropolitan Opera House needs to be recognized for their superlative staffing selection. Bravo indeed !