The Metropolitan Opera
Arts & Culture · New York, NY
About
The Metropolitan Opera, founded in 1883, presents over 200 opera performances each season at its Lincoln Center home. Known as the venue for the world's greatest voices, it stages classic works like La Boheme and Madama Butterfly alongside contemporary pieces. The massive stage has featured spectacles including an onstage lake for Turandot.
Ticket prices start at $25 for rush tickets, and backstage tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at costume and wig departments. The Family Circle section provides budget-friendly seats with impressive views. If you're exploring Lincoln Center, the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art is another cultural icon worth visiting.
Features
- ✓Founding year 1883
- ✓Over 200 performances per season
- ✓Backstage tours available
Practical
What people say
Rated from 399 reviews. 62 community ratings. View this venue on Yelp
From the community
“If you like spectacle, this is the place”
I have attended the Met many times and always choose seats in the Family Circle because from there you can witness truly breathtaking spectacle. For Dialogues des Carmélites, the shadows of a cage trapping the nuns were stunning; the mix of cartoon and realistic sets for Manon was amazing, but Turandot, with its onstage lake, was spectacle at its peak. The royal palace set is the only one I've seen receive applause. Not to mention the incredible voices. The Met is truly our nation's showplace!
A visitor · Over a year ago
“Simply a classic!”
The acoustics make this one of the best-sounding opera houses globally, and given ticket prices as low as $25, it's an experience everyone should have at least once in their life.
A guest · Over a year ago
“...ABT Farewell performances of Giselle”
On Wednesday, May 27, 2015, two Latina ballerinas gave their farewell performances of Giselle. Paloma Herrera performed the matinee. Xiomara Reyes performed the evening show. Each had a different style and interpretation. Both were superb. It was a very emotional day.
A recent visitor · Over a year ago
“Backstage Walking Tour was Fantastic”
On my second day in New York City, my college friend took me on a backstage tour of the Metropolitan Opera. We were led through the labyrinthine hallways and into the huge backstage area. Our guide Magda was very informative and fun. She showed us the costume department, props department, carpentry department, wig department, and the green rooms. It is a very exciting and insightful walking tour. We ended in the orchestra section and peeked into the orchestra pit.
A local visitor · Over a year ago
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there discounted tickets available? +
Yes, the Met offers $25 rush tickets for select performances. Check their website for availability.
Is the Metropolitan Opera LGBTQ+ owned or focused? +
The Met is not specifically LGBTQ+-owned, but it is a welcoming venue for all, including the queer community.
What is the typical show length? +
Opera performances typically last 2-4 hours, including intermissions. Schedules vary by production.
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