Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
massofmen
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/10/04
#1Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/1/06 at 6:13pm
I love broadway. Musicals, Straight Plays, love it. I love the diversity of the shows. I love all of it. I think I might have found something just as good if not better though.
The Metropolitan Opera. For this season and this season only two wonderful people have sponsored 20 dollar rush tickets to shows from Mon-Thurs. There are 200 avilable for each performance...lemme say that again...200! The tickets can be bought with cash or CC, and the rush tix line opens at 6pm. People get there at about 3:30 to sit and wait. I have seen 3 already and its beautiful evening of art. You think La Boheme was good on bway, come see Domingo conduct it at the Met.
I have only seen a few operas but I can tell you that the Met has some of the most amazing performers I have ever seen. Comparable to only La Scala, its the greatest Opera House in the World (a patron told me that one night while seeing Tosca), and you can see it for 20 bucks! I mean La Boheme for 20 bucks?
It's production values are incrediby opulent and simple at the same time. There is a 30-50 piece orchestra (where you get MAYBE 15 piece on bway), amazingly respectful audiences, and singers that make your hair stand on end. And they actually ACT! its incredible. These people are singing high c's and q's and they are acting through it. maybe I am being naive, and people are already aware of the passion of seeing an Opera but I am a neophyte to the arena of the art and I am incredibly impressed.
I don't work for the MET. They don't need me shilling anyway as they have money for eons to come. I just thought with all the bitching and moaning about where bway is going, maybe try seeing something different. I mean, Bartler Sher and Jack O'Brien are directing there this season. People who LOVED hairspray and Piazza, go see what they do with Opera.
For 20 bucks you can't go wrong.
Met
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#1re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/1/06 at 6:15pm
Damn, I wish I was in NY.
I'm working at the LA Opera, so Placido really gets around!
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
Bwayfan4
Broadway Star Joined: 10/11/06
#2re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/1/06 at 9:50pmThanks for posting! I have been wanting to see an opera (I've never seen one before), and wanted to go to the Met. Anyone have any good suggestions on what to see? (besides the two mentioned) I think I will have to do my homework...
#3re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/1/06 at 9:56pm
What do you mean you have never seen an opera before?
If you have seen LES MISERABLES, SWEENEY TODD or PORGY AND BESS you have seen operas. Just not in opera houses. In fact many if not most of the great 20th century operas were created for and premiered on Broadway.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
keen on kean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/1/06
#4re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/1/06 at 10:02pmCheck out www.metoperafamily.org - the MET is doing live high definition opera telecasts to movie theaters in the US, Canada and elsewhere of various productions including Julie Taymor's production of Mozart's Magic Flute. If you have never tried opera, that would be a great way to start.
Fenchurch
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/16/06
#5re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/1/06 at 10:12pm
Barber of Seville is an entertaining and joyful evening, unlike anything Ive ever seen at The Met, and the music is incredible.
And Beaumarchais writes a masterful story.
"Fenchurch is correct, as usual."
-Keen on Kean
"Fenchurch is correct, as usual." - muscle23ftl
"Fenchurch is correct, as usual." - muscle23ftl
#6re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/1/06 at 10:17pmthe MET is fabulous. go go go!
"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed
#7re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 12:46am
Good Lord, what an amazing season the Met has! I wish I lived in NY...
Speaking of opera, I recently won tickets to a St. Louis Opera Theatre performance next season. I can choose between The Mikado and La traviata.
Any suggestions?
The Overture is part of the show, people. Please shut your pie hole.
#8re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 1:41amI live in Chicago, and I have had the chance to see a few different operas at the Chicago-Lyric Opera, they offer student tickets for 20 and they are worth every cent. I saw Turnadot about 2 months ago and it was incridiable....everyone should experience opera everyone once in a while....
"Passion can drive you crazy but is there any other way to live"
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#9re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 3:37amAnd forget about that 30-50 piece thing. Generally, the Met Opera orchestra has about TWICE that many members for most operas (and closer to 100 for Wagner).
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
#10re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 9:26amEos - Go with Traviata.
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
#11re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 9:43am
I go down to the Met reguarly, and actually have long since switched my passion from Broadway to opera. The Met is magical, their production are the best in the world, and I rate them in the top a long with La Scala, Covent Garden, and Vienna Opera House. my dad and i had a backstage tour last year, and it was extrememly interesting.
I just saw Il Barbiere di Sivilgia (very witty new production)
Then next week I'm off to La Boheme with will be conducted by Placido Domingo, then Cav/Pag, and finally I will be seeing my most favorite soprano Angela Gheorghiu in Simon Boccanegra.
A wonderful season, indeed.
Get thee to the Met!
~And let us try, before we die, to make some sense of life~
#12re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 9:56ammassofmen---Thanks for the post. I hope people here take your advice.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
massofmen
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/10/04
#13re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 10:43am
I am so glad that people have responded so positively. I got cheap standing room tix last night for La Boheme and found myself sitting in the front row (3rd acting it).
It was unreal. Watching and listening to Rodolfo sing over MIMI while she dies had people in tears. And being able to watch Domingo conduct this huge musical sound was really a once in a lifetime experience.
I just read that Domingo is, for the first time in his career, performing in a world premier at the met this season.
I hope you all try to go see some opera, its amazing.
#14re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 11:01amI beleive Ana Netrebko is singing Musetta in La Boheme now. She is absolutely breathtaking. And gorgeous as well.
"The only way we live beyond our lives is to connect and carve ourselves into the souls of those we love." -Little Fish
#15re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 11:42am
While it is certainly not the Met, oratorios and masses sung by large choruses and soloists at Carnegie Hall are a worthwhile alternative to Broadway as well. Generally the chorus is a good amateur group, while the orchestra and soloists are first rate professionals. For example, next Wednesday, December 6th, at 8:00pm at Carnegie Hall, The St. Cecilia Chorus and Orchestra(celebrating its 101st year) will perform the C.P.E. Bach MAGNIFICAT and the sublime Mozart REQUIEM. Come to hear glorious choral music unamplified in the wonderful acoustic space which is Carnegie Hall. Ticket prices start at $20 and orchestra seats are $63 and $53. I'll be there after seeing THE COLOR PURPLE in the afternoon.
"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"
Updated On: 12/2/06 at 11:42 AM
#16re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 2:28pmWhat do you guys think of the mezzanine-type seats at the Met? Looking at the seating chart, they seem to be of the Radio-City-the-performers-are-ants type, but the charts are a little bit unclear as to where exactly the elevated tiers are situated. The close orchestra seats are just so expensive.
"What was the name of that cheese that I like?"
"you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start"
"well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"
#17re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 4:14pmDon't like Anna Netrebko, (or Rolando Villazon, but I'm willing to give him a second chance since I'll be seeing him next week). I know Anna's doing Puritani in a few months, and I don't think she would also be doing Boheme (and if she was, I'm sure everyone would have been fussing about it). Looking forward to it!
~And let us try, before we die, to make some sense of life~
#18re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 4:26pm
"If you have seen LES MISERABLES, SWEENEY TODD or PORGY AND BESS you have seen operas. Just not in opera houses. In fact many if not most of the great 20th century operas were created for and premiered on Broadway."
I didn't know that.
#19re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 7:14pm
Thanks, aspiring...
And Gypsy9, that sounds like a beautiful evening! As much as I love musicals, nothing gives me goosebumps and makes my hair stand on end quite like symphonic choruses.
The Overture is part of the show, people. Please shut your pie hole.
Link Larkin Wanabe
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/1/04
#20re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 7:26pm
Ooooh,
I hope I can take advantage of this when I am in NY for spring break.
Akiva
#21re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 9:37pm
What a great season the Met are having, my pick would be "Faust" in March of next year.
The final act would have to be one of the most thrilling ends to an opera, ever.
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
#22re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 9:40pmEos, if you've never seen Traviata, I would suggest it be your choice.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
bwaylvsong
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
#23re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/2/06 at 10:58pm
I also say Traviata. It was MY first opera!!!
I've sat in the last row of the highest balcony at the Met, and was able to see and hear everything perfectly.
It is my dream to sing there (and on broadway) one day.
#24re: Mtropolitan Opera Instead of Broadway
Posted: 12/3/06 at 2:29amThanks for the suggestions Rath & bwaylvsong. Judging by the synopsis, I'm gonna be weeping my eyes out!
The Overture is part of the show, people. Please shut your pie hole.
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