The Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera is a vibrant home for the most creative and talented singers, conductors, composers, musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers, and dancers from around the world

The Metropolitan Opera was founded in 1883, as an alternative to the previously established Academy of Music opera house
It was built on Broadway by a group of wealthy businessmen who wanted their own theater
HISTORY
In the company’s early years, the management changed course several times, first performing everything in Italian, then everything in German, before finally settling into a policy of performing most works in their original language, with some notable exceptions

THE FIRST PERFOMANCE: 1883
The first Metropolitan Opera House opened on October 22, 1883, with a performance of Faust

THE INTERIOR
The theater's interior was extensively redesigned.
The familiar red and gold interior associated with the house dates from this time. The old Met had a seating capacity of 3,625 with an additional 224 standing room places.
Damaged by fire on in 1892, the theater was immediately rebuilt, reopening in 1893.
Another major renovation was completed in 1903

THE INTERIOR

The operas in the Met's repertoire consist of a wide range of works, from 18th-century Baroque and 19th-century Bel canto to the Minimalism of the late 20th and 21th century
These operas are presented in staged productions that range in style from those with elaborate traditional decors to others that feature modern conceptual designs
THE REPERTOIRE

The company also employs numerous free-lance dancers, actors, musicians and other performers throughout the season.
THE REPERTOIRE
The Met's performing company consists of a large symphony-sized orchestra, a chorus, children's choir, and many supporting and leading solo singers.
The Met's roster of singers includes both international and American artists, some of whose careers have been developed through the Met's young artists programs.
While many singers appear periodically as guests with the company, others maintain a close long-standing association with the Met, appearing many times each season until they retire.

In 1977, the Met began a regular series of televised productions with a performance of La Bohème, viewed by more than four million people on public television.
WITH THE HELP OF TECHNOLOGY
Over the following decades, more than 70 complete Met performances have been made available to a huge audience around the world. Many of these performances have been issued on video, laserdisc, and DVD.

In December 2006, the company launched The Met: Live in HD, a series of performance transmissions shown live in high definition in movie theaters around the world
In partnership with the New York City Department of Education and the Metropolitan Opera Guild, the Met has developed a nationwide program for students to attend Live in HD transmissions for free in their schools
WITH THE HELP OF TECHNOLOGY

TICKETS
A Rush Ticket Program offering discounted orchestra seats for $25
Expanded editorial offerings in Met publications, on the web, and through broadcasts; and new public programs that provide greater access to the Met

The Metropolitan Opera is the largest classical music organization in North America
THE MET TODAY
More than 800,000 people attend the performances in the opera house during the season, and millions more experience the Met through new media distribution initiatives and state-of-the-art technology
Each season, the Met stages more than 200 opera performances in New York