Understanding the Inner Workings of the Metropolitan Opera

Known affectionately as the Met, the Metropolitan Opera is a cornerstone of American performing arts, theater, and culture. With over a century of history, the Met has evolved into one of the most prestigious artistic institutions, not just in New York City but globally. While its origins weren't modest, the founders and early performers dedicated immense effort to cement the Met's place within New York's artistic community.

The Metropolitan Opera brings together opera singers, dancers, orchestras, choruses, costume designers, set builders, and conductors to craft dynamic works of art. Composers, musicians, and choreographers from around the globe collaborate at the Met to contribute their skills to the world of art. Over the years, the opera has showcased legendary talents like Christine Nilsson, Marcella Sembrich, Rosa Ponselle, and more recently, the iconic Luciano Pavarotti.

Each season, the Metropolitan Opera stages over 200 performances, attracting an annual audience of 800,000 to its opera house. By dedicating itself to broadening opera's reach, the Met enables millions worldwide to enjoy performances via radio, television, and online streaming. The institution has played a pivotal role in introducing opera to regions across America where it was previously unknown or underrepresented.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the evolution of the Metropolitan Opera House, revisit its origins, and examine how the Met has leveraged technology over the years to share opera performances with audiences globally.

Metropolitan Opera House

Throughout its history, the Metropolitan Opera has occupied multiple venues, all rooted in New York City. The inaugural opera house, constructed in 1883, was situated at Broadway and 39th Street. A design competition was held to select the architect, and the building was completed in a mere three years.

The original structure featured box seats on every tier except the top level. Those unable to afford pricier tickets could opt for $5 seats in the highest section, known as the Family Circle. However, these patrons had to use a separate entrance and were isolated from the main building, making interaction with other attendees difficult [source: The Metropolitan Opera]. In 1892, a fire originating in the paint shop damaged the backstage and auditorium, leading to the cancellation of that year's remaining performances while repairs were made.

In the 1890s, the opera house was entirely owned by 35 box-holders who formed the Metropolitan Opera and Real Estate Company. By purchasing permanent box seats, these owners secured unrestricted access to performances. This arrangement allowed the Met to concentrate solely on opera productions, leaving building management to the owners. In 1903, the auditorium was refurbished in red and gold, establishing the iconic aesthetic of the Metropolitan Opera House.

In 1940, after half a century of box-holder ownership, the Met reclaimed the building, taking full control of both the performances and the venue for the first time. The auditorium underwent another renovation, with the Grand Tier box seats replaced by seating for Metropolitan Opera Guild Members—individuals who supported the company through regular contributions. The redesign also included the addition of a radio booth.

The Met's final relocation occurred in 1966 when it opened at the Lincoln Center in New York City. The new venue debuted with Samuel Barber's "Antony and Cleopatra" and introduced nine new performances that season. Today, the opera house draws approximately 800,000 visitors annually and offers free access through open house dress rehearsals, maintaining its dedication to artistic excellence and high-quality performances.

Next, discover how the Metropolitan Opera began its journey and rose to prominence as one of the most renowned performing arts institutions globally.

History of the Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera was founded after a group of New York City millionaires struggled to obtain box seats at the Academy of Music. Determined to secure premium access to theater and performing arts, they resolved to establish their own opera house in the city. Their goal was to create a grander and superior alternative to the Academy of Music. Amid a period of American growth and innovation, these wealthy entrepreneurs launched what would become one of the world's most celebrated opera houses.

In 1880, the Met acquired land, and within three years, it had assembled singers, an orchestra, designed costumes, built sets, and hired general management and building designers. The inaugural performance in 1883 featured Gounod's "Faust," an Italian opera performed by an Italian company, except for two Americans. The entire performance was in Italian, with costumes imported from Italy and even the American singers adopting Italian stage names. Despite losing nearly half a million dollars in its first season due to competition from the Academy of Music, the Met forced the Academy out of business by 1886, just three years after its opening.

From 1906 to 1910, the Met faced competition from Oscar Hammerstein's Manhattan Opera. To counter this, the Met formed two companies and staged 361 performances in seven months, effectively ending the rivalry [source: The Metropolitan Opera]. In the early 20th century, the Met transitioned between Italian, German, and French operas before embracing performances in English. In 1910, it premiered "The Pipe of Desire," the first American opera performed in English at the Met [source: The Metropolitan Opera].

By the time of America's Great Depression, the Metropolitan Opera had cemented its status as a hub of art and talent for New York City's elite. Despite economic challenges, the Met's innovative spirit has ensured its survival for over a century.

Continue to the next page to explore how the Metropolitan Opera has utilized radio, television, and the Internet to sustain the performing arts.

Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts

The Metropolitan Opera has consistently embraced technological advancements to broaden the audience for the performing arts. From 1901 to 1903, the Met pioneered live recordings using Edison's cylinder machine, capturing performances from a vantage point high above the main stage. These early efforts, predating the Met's broadcast era, laid the groundwork for the institution's future technological innovations.

On Christmas Day in 1931, the Metropolitan Opera made history with its first full radio broadcast, marking the beginning of a cherished tradition. NBC compensated the opera company with $5,000 per broadcast, a sum that exceeded the Met's average ticket sales revenue by approximately $800 at the time. This collaboration flourished, leading to a 1940 television broadcast from Radio City in New York. That same year, the Met enhanced its auditorium with a dedicated radio booth, further integrating opera into American households.

The year 1940 was pivotal for the Met's broadcasting endeavors, highlighted by Texaco's sponsorship of the Saturday matinee opera broadcasts. This partnership debuted with Mozart's "Nozze de Figaro" and lasted an impressive 64 years until 2004. Additionally, PBS launched "Live from the Met" in 1977, bringing opera into millions of homes. While initially live, most performances were later recorded in front of an audience and broadcast subsequently. The Met also collaborated with PBS on "The Metropolitan Opera Presents," making approximately 80 opera performances accessible globally.

The Metropolitan Opera's radio broadcasts reach audiences in 42 countries, making it the longest-running classical music series in U.S. broadcast history. During the 2006-2007 season, the Met launched its "Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD" initiative, delivering high-definition live performances to global movie theaters and New York City schools through a collaboration with the city's education department. Additionally, the Met operates its own satellite radio station, featuring both live and archival performances.

Over the decades, the Metropolitan Opera has consistently embraced innovation. From the early days of Edison's cylinder recordings in 1901 to modern satellite radio transmissions, the Met has leveraged advanced technology to bring opera to not only American audiences but also a global following. This forward-thinking approach has sustained the Met's success for over a century.