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The Metropolitan Opera

4.5 (400 reviews)
Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

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Inside during intermission
Eloy Y.

Since its invention in the late 16th century in Italy, precisely in Florence, opera (the Italian word for "work") has been an art form that tells a story through music and singing. Unlike a musical, opera singers do not use microphones to amplify their voices. The music is played by the orchestra and is completely live. Creating opera needs more than just a script and music. It needs a great set designer, costumes, and a director who puts it all together. Over the centuries, it changed a lot, transformed, and evolved, but it will always remain tied in some way to its Italian origins. Situated within NYC's Lincoln Center performing arts plaza, the Metropolitan Opera is the largest classical music facility in North America and is also one of the leading opera houses in the world. Upon entering, the grandeur and elegance of the venue sweep one's off your feet. My partner and I were fortunate to obtain tickets in the orchestra for Puccini's Turandot this Saturday afternoon. It's a good opera for beginners due to its iconic music, spectacular scale, and relatively accessible storyline, especially the famous aria "Nessun dorma." The interior was interwoven with art, paintings, murals, and statues, but the lavish red carpet and spectacular chandeliers were something. The seating was comfortable, the acoustics could not be better, carrying every note with breathtaking clarity, and we loved the subtitles on the small screen in front of each seat. Throughout the theater, the staff was incredibly kind & accommodating during our visit!! We don't often go to the opera, but this was a wonderful exception! Bravi!

Alisa J.

I've seen multiple operas now. Absolutely loved the shows. My favorites were Don Giovanni and madama butterfly. Wanted to like Carmen and magic flute more. Unfortunately the short version of the magic flute didn't do it for me wish they performed the origins not in English. Sets are stunning and the singers and musicians are world class. Beautiful building but seats feel a bit cramped. Would highly recommend!

Malcom X
Chris D.

Always a special night out at the Met. Sat on the grand circle, which I loved. Lots of fantastic performers on stage and I had decent leg soon at my seat

La Bohéme
Angelica M.

AMAZING experience watching Le Boheme. The staff welcomed us and was very happy to guide and provide directions to our seats. The bartenders during the intermissions were friendly and quick. The theatre is verbally located in an amazing plaza. The seats are comfortable and the closed captioning on the seat backs makes Opera super accessible. The disabled and hard of hearing areas were also very accessible however they ran out of rentable opera glasses. They coat $3 which again, accessible!

Chandelier
Tony J.

Opera review of sonambali. Excellent show and soprano. Everything was great from seats to technology to translate to staff etc. highly recommend for a night out of culture and art folk viewing.

Stephanie L.

I wouldn't say I'm a theater or arts enthusiast but its always a treat to come to the Metropolitan Opera. Its a glamorous experience for everyone. Velvet, gold and crystal everything- timelessly classic. With the family circle starting at 25$ per ticket there's also an affordable option for everyone. Classic pieces are shown with artistic and modern twists. Subtitles are present in the seats in front of you. I think every New Yorker and visitor should experience the opera atleast once in their lives.

Alexis B.

I went to my first opera at the Metropolitan Opera last weekend, and I had an amazing time. The Met Opera has been in its house at Lincoln Center since 1966. The location is convenient, and the opera house is really stunning. The travertine facade, the murals, the terrazzo cantilevered stairway, the chandeliers...there's so much to look and see. The beauty of the opera house is equal to the quality and opera of the company. The lines to the restrooms can get a little long, but opera intermissions are long enough to give you time to go to the bar and the bathrooms. The bars had great options; I had a glass of champagne before the opera and an espresso at intermission, but I saw people enjoying sandwiches, espresso martinis, and more. The house has a restaurant that opens two hours before every performance, so there's also a chance for a full meal before an opera if you choose. The opera company's season is always interesting - they do classics, but they also do world premieres of new, modern, and contemporary operas. (My first opera was the Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay - a modern opera for sure, and I really enjoyed it.) The Met couldn't be more well renowned. It's deserving of its reputation. My first opera was amazing, and I'm looking forward to my next in May.

The Viewing Room at the Met Opera house.

We are here at the Madame butterfly opera and the first act was awesome. Wife and I have never been and were super excited. Made a day out of it, and the opera house is beautiful. First act was fantastic. Great synergy between the choreography, the singing and the music. Best ever heard and we were loving it. Now let's talk about the intermission. We bought lite apps at the resteraunt that is on their website to promote, and it's also awesome. Again, great atmosphere and ambiance. Sat by the window and just felt great We paid our bill and started downstairs to our very expensive seats. We then hear, lights are going out. By the time we are at the door the extremely rude usher pushed back and stated you can't go in until 50 minutes into the second act. Which means, 2nd act is done. They do not give you any warning that the second act is about to start except 30 seconds before to say lights are going out. Now, we are in the viewing room watching the second act on a TV in a separate room. Total BS to spend a small fortune and have it , just about ruined by the opera house with no warning the curtain is going up. Wife and I are beyond upset. Don't think we are ever coming back. Would rather go to any local small opera house that give a crap about the patrons, and not charge the small fortune to have a night at the opera. See pic of their wonderful "viewing room." Update: moved it to 2 stars because the 3rd act was even better then the first. What a spectacular show.

Samantha C.

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.

Seat they sold us for Bocelli

Low rating was how the situation was handled in regards to seats ($400 each) sold to us has zero leg room and we were in formal dress like lost for Bocelli. The local attendent and house manager did not even come look and besides sitting facing back of opera we had to akwardly navigate strangers arms/ legs/ hair / space. We had Zero leg room so I was sitting turned into man next to me. My friend whom was 6'2 had harder time in his seat. when I called to complain to Met as to why they re even selling these seats they had zero care nor willingness to understand situation. Totally disregard my comment as remove those ridiculous not even existing seats - greed! I used love MeT and it obviously is an incredible place but definitely not the customer service. But they do hound you for donations on phone repeatedly. Shame on you MeT.

Rosi A.

I brought my daughter to see Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) on our Christmas trip to NYC, and it was a lovely experience. Granted, this opera house might not dazzle you with its splendor in a similar way to the opera houses in Paris or Vienna but once the curtain lifts, it all changes. The 2-hour performance was quite a treat, both to the eyes (the costumes, the stage set design) and the ears (superb delivery by the cast).

Adorned ceiling of opera hall
John A.

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!

Tami C.

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‼

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Nice experience. Very beautiful opera house located in New York City. The seats were comfortable and the subtitles were nice.

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American Ballet Theatre

American Ballet Theatre

4.4
(26 reviews)
2.4 mi

We went to see Othello on the opening night! It is a classical ballet choreography with some more…read morecontemporary overtones. I loved the dramatic moves, but wish Desdemona was more assertive & expressive of her love. The staging was stylized & frill-free but I appreciated the sharp contrast of dark background & bright sun color costumes. As always, the venue is so inviting!

(Attended 06/18/2024 TU @ 7:30pm): One of America's premiere ballet companies headquartered in New…read moreYork but truly called the world home! I had the great pleasure to see a performance by the internationally-known American Ballet Theatre (ABT) as they opened their 2024 summer season at The Metropolitan Opera House. In years past, ABT came through Los Angeles but now went directly to Costa Mesa's Segerstrom Center For The Arts. With a storied history dating back to 1939, ABT has collaborated with the world's foremost choreographers, integrating tradition with modernity. The Company has showcased masterpieces created for their dancers by luminaries like George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Anthony Tudor, Agnes de Mille, Kenneth MacMillan, and Twyla Tharp, alongside pioneering works by contemporary visionaries such as Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, and Wayne McGregor. In 2006, an act of Congress recognized them as America's National Ballet Company. Though located in New York City, ABT annually toured the United States - performing for 300,000 people annually - and is the only major cultural institution to do so. The Company has made more than 30 international tours to 45 countries. Now that you've had a brief history lesson, how was the evening's experience!? PURCHASE Tickets/Seats ($205.00 x2): For reference, ticket prices ranged from $50.00 - $250.00. Located in the Parterre Rear Level Section 21 Seats 7 & 8, these were in the 2nd level above the orchestra, the 2nd of three rows within the section, provided excellent sight lines that were just off stage right, and comfortable individual seats. Honestly, there weren't any bad areas in the house. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=M9NZEudqTDXq7bIoKrQSiQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Ticket Service Fee ($2.50 x2): This was unimaginably low and greatly appreciated! THE PERFORMANCE This was the opening night of both American Ballet Theatre's (ABT) 2024 Summer Season and the performance of "Onegin", a three-acts two intermissions ballet with an estimated run time of 2 hour 20 minutes. The story's about "a young country girl, Tatiana, who is introduced to a worldly aristocrat by her sister's fiancé. Onegin instantly becomes Tatiana's heart's desire, though, in his eyes, she remains naive and uninteresting. Thus begins the tale that leads to a tragic duel, a royal marriage, and personal redemption. Based on the verse-novel Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin, John Cranko's majestic and astounding ballet allows the strength and agency of our romantic heroine to shine through." This evening's performance featured Principal dancers Christine Shevchenko (Tatiana) and Cory Stearns (Onegin), and conductor Charles Barker. Everything was beautiful and captivating. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=mFz8jR9GUutvhsLGHpCYcQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw SERVICE None to speak of as it pertained directly to ABT. As for The Met, the online ticket purchase was seamless, the check-in line inside the venue went swiftly, there was no line when we bought our champagne, and security was chill. One cool thing to point out was a unique system of real-time translation called "Met Titles", which appeared on individual scenes mounted on the back of each row of seats for those members of the audience who wish to utilize them, but with minimum distraction for those those who do not; titles are provided to all performances in English, Spanish, and German, and are also provided in Italian or Italian-language operas. Everything was easy-peasy! PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance): We took a Lyft there ($49.00) and a bus back ($2.50 x2). Otherwise, located underneath Lincoln Center was the public 24-hours self-parking Lincoln Center "park and lock" Plaza Parking Garage, with varied rates ($28.00 - $63.00). Buses and subways were also cheaper and efficient options. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE In this case, The Met's capacity was 3,800 patrons with chandeliers throughout. There were several bar locations to get your drink on with short lines, special areas for members only and such, and the requisite souvenir shop. Plenty of natural lighting shone through the large tall glass windows and doors into the lobby, while the aforementioned eclectic ceiling chandeliers lit up the rest. I didn't notice any monitors nor any background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=BJ1FyjTluTgTWgcn9UElJA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw ATTIRE In general, it was a business affair with a suit, tie, and dress shoes. However, I jealously observed many men casually dressed in my favorable t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops - dammit! OVERALL I loved that I was able to see American Ballet Theatre perform in their own backyard - a quasi travel bucket list item. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $415.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tips). And, they accepted my credit card of choice...AMEX! 5.0 STARS

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American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre

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The Metropolitan Opera - opera - Updated July 2026

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