Or… how about a quick FREE trip to Vegas without ever getting in a plane, in a car, in a bus or on a horse – well maybe a horse if you’ve been ” carriaging”* around Central Park.
Simply take yourself over to Lincoln Center Plaza on Saturday, August 26th. Grab a chair and sit back under the stars to see Rigoletto with all its lechery, murder, sex, gambling, kidnapping, deflowering and disguises, just like the real Casino town! This hit production by the Met of Rigoletto places the action in a neon-bedecked Las Vegas in 1960.
Yes, the Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival will be in full swing as of August 25th. This is one of my favorite things to do in the City as summer starts to murmur with hints of fall. I’ve had such great times watching these wonderful operas and enjoying the audience craziness before and after the screenings. And all free!!!!!
The Festival runs from August 25th thru September 4th. All performances begin at 8 PM except for Sunday the 27th which begins at 7:45.
Here’s the schedule starting on the 25th
Beginning with the Ingmar Bergman film, The Magic Flute followed the next evening by Rigoletto, and then in order, Il Barbiere Di Siviglia, L’Amour De Loin, Manon Lescaut, Roberto Devereux, Tristan Und Isolde (on two nights) Eugene Onegin, Nabucco, ending on the 4th with the beautiful La Traviata.
Hope to see you there! Come early – relax and watch the seats fill up which they do. As usual – I’m the one with the hat, popcorn and wine.
Love this City and love the Metropolitan Opera especially when it’s free.
KAY’S NOTES: (From an earlier post on this event)
Important to know: Met website at http://www.metopera.com 2017 Summer HD Festival.
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 along with opera loving well behaved dogs!
Photos and italic text from Metropolitan Opera website.
*Carriaging – a made up word -but you get my drift.
Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.