Thursday, April 9, 2015

New York, New York: The Metropolitan Opera

As a musical theater and opera fan, it had long been one of my dreams to visit the Metropolitan Opera and see a performance by Diana Damrau, who I once had the pleasure of hearing in recital at DC’s Kennedy Center.

That dream finally came true a couple weeks ago when Stephen and I visited the Met for a Saturday night performance of Manon, staring the amazing Damrau as the title character. From the story and music to the performances and costumes, everything about this show was spectacular, and it now stands out as one of the two best operas I’ve ever seen. (The other was the Kennedy Center's The Elixir of Love, staring the sadly now-divorcing husband-and-wife duo Ailyn Perez and Stephen Costello.) 

Damrau’s charming and charismatic Manon was everything I expected her to be, and even our seats, way up in the highest tier, offered a decent view and great acoustics. Though the show lasted four hours (including two intermissions), I was so caught up in the love story and phenomenal singing that I hardly even noticed the time. 


After the performance ended around midnight, we walked back to the hotel in late-March snow flurries and rested up for our backstage tour the following morning. Just like the show, this tour was an opera lover’s dream come true, as we got to visit the costume and carpentry shops, singers’ dressing rooms, group rehearsal spaces and more. And while we couldn't actually walk onstage, we did get to see the crew using a huge elevator and tons of equipment to erect sets for Don Carlo, the Met’s next performance. 

If you're ever in New York and would like to take this tour, visit the Metropolitan Opera Guild's website to reserve tickets. You won't be disappointed!


Finally, no visit to NYC would have been complete without a quick trip to the Museum of Natural History. I may be a grownup, but I still love me some dino bones. :) 

Thanks for a great time, New York! I will definitely be back soon. 

10 comments:

  1. I haven't visited the museum in ages! I should take my little girl and nieces there!
    Your visit to the opera and the backstage area sounds awesome! I would definitely schedule a behind the scenes tour!

    xoxo,
    little luxury list formerly Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  2. One of the things I love about NYC is their theatre...I have never been to the Opera...something to experience...thanks for sharing...looks like a fun time!!

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    1. If you ever want to attend an opera, just let me know, and I'll be happy to give you some advice about good first-time shows and what to expect. It's such an awesome experience! There are even fun operas for kids, like Hansel and Gretel or Cinderella.

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  3. what a wonderful experience! i've never attended opera live--only watched shows on tv.

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    1. Their "Great Performances" broadcasts on PBS and "Live in HD" broadcasts shown in movie theaters are awesome! Our tour guide talked about the way those broadcasts impact everything from hair and makeup to props, since the audience can see everything a lot closer up onscreen.

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  4. What a fabulous experience you guys had! NYC is such an amazing city! I just love the energy! xoxo

    Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings

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    1. Me, too! I always look forward to my NYC visits. I hope you guys have a great weekend!

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  5. Sounds like you guys had a great time! So many good ideas for our next NYC trip!

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    1. Yeah, I always love going there. So many fun things to do!

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