Get Ready – The Outdoor Free Summer HD Series at the Met starts in August!

Mark your calendars – plan your visit – and simply have a great time!  The Festival runs from August 26th thru September 5th.

Enjoy this free series outside under the stars and the moon (hopefully)!

AMADEUS, the 1985 Oscar winner of Best Picture  kicks off the 10 day event on Friday August 26th.  What a treat!

A great line up of operas streaming on the Plaza will  include: Le Nozze di Figaro, il Trovatore, Otello, La Fille du Regiment, Lucia di Lammermoor, La Cenerentola (Cinderella)  Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci (2 different operas) The Merry Widow, Turandot, and last  Les Pecheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers).  The Met website includes more info on each opera.

If you could only go to one – I would  suggest Turandot with that beautiful aria Nessun Dorma (Nobody shall sleep)- plus it hits all the bells and whistles of a grand opera – sets,costumes, the cast  are over the top.    Yep , that’s the one – if you haven’t seen it or even if you have– you know about operas – once is never enough!  You can hear and see Pavarotti on Facebook singing Nessun Dorma as only he could!

Go to one, some, or all – it’s a wonderful New York experience – and if you have friends coming into the City for the US open – which starts on the 29th,   tell them about this Festival – could be a lovely way to turn  a day of  tennis in the sun   into a night of music under the stars!

KAY’S NOTES –   Below are Kay’s Notes from my post back in May on  the Festival.   In fact, if you have nothing else to do while sitting on the beach enjoying a lovely rosé- you could take another look at it. “Yes, The Met Opera…Free” under music category.

FROM MY MAY POST

Important to know. . Check Met website at http://www.metopera.com 2016 Summer HD Festival. It runs from August 26th  thru Labor Day Sept 5th. starting time is around 7-8 o’clock.
Good to know: The series goes on rain or shine except thunder storms. Suggest you bring extra jacket or sweater as it can get chilly. And, perhaps a seat cushion
Where to eat: All over the place. Many people, in fact, bring their own food, drinks and snacks. I, myself, am a popcorn and wine person.
Restaurant prices: In the area – varies from hotdog carts to OMG$$$$
Where is it:  At Lincoln Center Plaza known as the Josie Robertson Plaza in front of the Met Opera House on the Upper West Side between West 62nd and 65th Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. Buses and subways close by. Plenty of parking. Met website has all kinds of info on directions.
Restrooms: Here’s the tricky part. If there is an event at the David Geffen Hall (formerly Avery Fisher) the restrooms are open in the Hall. But if not there are restrooms on the Concourse level below the Met Opera house. There is an elevator to Concourse level on the outside of the David Koch Theater or an escalator in front of the David Geffen Hall. Restrooms also at the David Rubenstein Atrium on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd right across the street.
Kid Friendly: Absolutely and stay for a little while or for the whole performance. Lots of kids will be there.

Photo from Metropolitan Opera website

*Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.

 

Author: Kay

I knew when I started my blog I wanted to reach out to seniors like myself. I wanted to share my stories and even be a bit of a tour guide on what I’ve learned and the fun I’ve had at famous and not so famous New York places.