#1
Posted: 11/20/15 at 9:42am
Have any of you been to the Met Opera? Any tips or fun facts? I'm seeing Tosca on Wednesday and It's my first opera!
#2
Posted: 11/20/15 at 12:35pm
I go frequently! You will have a great time.
You picked a perfect first opera. Not my favorite production, but you'll be seeing a Ukrainian soprano named Liudmyla Monastyrska, and I hear her voice is gorgeous.
There are two half-hour intermissions. I recommend having a glass of (overpriced) Champagne and strolling and people-watching. We like to prepay our drinks with the bartender before the first act begins. That way they are waiting for us on the counter and we don't have to wait on the (very long) lines.
Let us know how you enjoy it!
#3
Posted: 11/20/15 at 12:40pm
Just relax and enjoy it! I agree with PalJoey that it's a great first opera (and also that this is not the greatest production). Gorgeous music, and what a pleasure and privilege it is to hear it played by the Met's very great orchestra.
Don't forget to turn on the translations on the seat in front of you. Following word for word or line for line really enhances the experience.
#4
Posted: 11/20/15 at 2:55pm
I don't know where you're sitting but if you're up in the nosebleeds, bring binoculars. Even so, you probably won't be able to see that much if you're up in the Family Circle. Having seen this production, I would say don't get too caught up in the plot or the supertitles. I didn't like the supertitles myself. Just read the synopsis in the program before each act and try to focus on the stage and the music. Also, be sure to enjoy the beautiful venue and don't just run to your seat. Maybe go a little early and if you can, take the elevator down to the lowest level when you leave. There's a lovely portrait gallery.
Enjoy!
#5
Posted: 11/20/15 at 3:24pm
Thanks everyone for you advice and for sharing you experiences. Im really looking forward to it! I actually have orchestra seats (in M maybe? i don't remember). Thanks everyone!
#6
Posted: 11/20/15 at 5:49pm
Also, don't clap in between every aria. My advice is to clap only when you hear the crowd clapping, typically at the end of an act. It is much more infrequent than a musical.
#7
Posted: 11/20/15 at 6:14pm
Going to The Metropolitan Opera House is one of the great theater experiences in the country.
Keep in mind that they will have rehearsed a completely different opera on that same stage during the afternoon and re-set all of the lights, sets and costumes for the opera that evening - and there are hundreds of them.
The house uses NO MICROPHONES on the singers or orchestra. It is all live.
Be sure to watch the chandeliers rise in the house as the lights dim, it is a piece of magical machinery.
#9
Posted: 11/21/15 at 1:33am
You're in for a treat! I travel cross-country just to see performances at the Met, in fact, I was just there last weekend for "Lulu". It's one if the greatest opera houses in the world!
As mentioned by others, try to get there early and soak in the ambience. There's always interesting exhibition at the lowest level. Yes, unfortunately the chandelier pre-show thing isn't done this season.
For intermission, yes, get the (overpriced) champagne and mingle with the elites 
I actually quite like their sandwiches too. My favorite is the grilled chicken on croissant.
A lot of people recommended the restaurant on the grand tier level, although I never tried it myself. I think the concession at the grand tier level sells coffee, but the one on orchestra level doesn't.
Anyway, have a great time!! I'll be back there in January myself! :)
#10
Posted: 11/22/15 at 7:49am
broadfan Thanks for the advice about the clapping. Also very cool that they don't use microphones. I'm so excited! Glad to hear you have good things to say
#11
Posted: 11/22/15 at 9:51am
Saw Tosca there 40 years ago. I still get chills remembering the scene where the townspeople sing the Angelus and Scarpia stands before them singing of his lust for Tosca. "Tosca, you make me forget God" - wha a great moment! If you haven't already, find the libretto on line and read it so you'll know what is happening and that way you can just relax totally into the wondrous music.
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