Monday, September 27, 2010

Mingle with the Met Opera

Finally, it's opening night at the Met Opera!  There will be a live broadcast of Das Rheingold tonight on the Plaza at Lincoln Center as well as in Times Square.  It promises to be the very definition of a night at the opera  - a fabulous gala evening of fancy opera goers dressed in couture.  I doubt today's rain can dampen the festivities on the red carpet or in the house.

Although the rain will keep me from my planned viewing in Times Square, I'm sure there will be many tough New Yorkers willing to be wet for this broadcast.   This production of Wagner's Das Rheingold, part of the "Ring", is a highly anticipated new production by the innovative director Robert Lepage, is sold out except for Varis Rush Tickets.  

Fortunately, I have my ticket to be in the house on Thursday.  This will be only my second Wagner opera and first "Ring." Technically it's only a partial ring this season - I will see Die Walküre this spring and then “Siegfried” and “Götterdämmerung” will be next season.  All four operas - a complete cycle - will be in the spring, 2012.   I can't wait to see Bryn Terfel, whose face is plastered on buses, subway walls and phone booths all over New York City as this year's Met Opera Poster Child.   I'm also excited to see one of my favorite mezzo sopranos, Stephanie Blythe, and the very exciting bass Eric Owens.  Also, in the cast are Wendy Bryn Harmer, Patricia Bardon, Richard Croft, Gerhard Siegel, Franz-Josef Selig,  and Hans-Peter König who are all new to me. 

The audio of tonight's performance will also be streamed live on the Met's website and on Sirius Radio.  The Met has also created a handy page of tips, clips and production photos for this Ring.
 
Let the 2010/11 season begin!

5 comments:

Sibyl said...

Oh Sarah, you have such a treat in store! I am really envious.

I am getting to NYC next week for almost my first time, bringing my 14 1/2 year old daughter. We're going to NYCB (I'm a former dancer), and we'll do TKTS for the experience of that, but I do want to buy tix to one show in advance so that we can guarantee one. Would you suggest In the Heights or La Cage? I'm looking to have my daughter see the scope of what can happen in a theater that makes Broadway Broadway, and who better to ask? Thanks so much for the blog that makes me feel a little like a member of the cognoscenti!

(I'm going to try for a Little Night Music for myself because I am sure that breathing the same air as Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch will make me a better person somehow).

Sarah B. Roberts said...

Yay Sibyl! Wecome to NYC! Check www.broadwaybox.com for discounts - you can print and take them to the box office - it just gives you more flexibility for seats and time since you don't have to stand in line at TKTS. I think your daughter will love Night Music too. I love, love, love both La Cage and In the Heights. They are very different but fabulous stories. I would be hard pressed to choose - La Cage is classic Jerry Herman - so much fun and a beautiful, universal story. Conversely, In the Heights is likewise beautiful, fun with a more modern twist and some universal themes but also very NYC specific - it's Latino hip hop/wrap. I think it's more difficult to get La Cage tickets so maybe you could try there first. Good luck and have a fab time!

Sibyl said...

Thank you SO much!

Sibyl said...

So did you love it, despite the rain we heard tell of?

Sarah B. Roberts said...

Oh no, I wasn't a tough enough New Yorker to sit in the rain for it...plus I was working late. My friend Kyle went and enjoyed it, but he hasn't shared any details of the atmosphere in Times Sq. as of yet. I will see it live in the house on Thursday.