Family Circle view at the Met Opera

I am going to be around the Lincoln Center area tomorrow and thought I might stop by the Met to purchase a ticket for Tannhäuser. I haven't seen James Levine conduct in awhile, and I may not get to see him do so again.

However, I'm quite tight on cash at the moment and therefore considering the Family Circle section. The farthest back I've ever sat at the Met was the first row in the Balcony, which was a great seat. Has anyone here sat in the Family Circle? How would you describe the view and the acoustics?

Completely agree with Temms. The sound is great but you feel detached from the opera on the stage. Since the plot is so slow in The Ring and you really are going for the sound you are fine sitting up in Family Circle. The set is huge so you are gong to see that even if you sit in Avery Fisher and you do not want to miss the effects which you will in the balcony.

It is without question the part of the house with the best sound quality.

During the early 80's I stood at the back of the family circle three or four times a week. The sound is glorious up there. Just bring opera glasses and you will be fine.

i've sat all over the opera house and the sound in family circle is not a problem at all. As everyone else has said, binoculars/opera glasses are mandatory up there if you want to see faces. To answer your question, VintageSnarker, it depends on the magnification of the binoculars. I personally bring 8x-10x for family circle. 4x might be fine but I personally only use that when i get closer seats. I think most opera glasses are in the 4x range so check what you have.