Metropolitan Opera - the largest center of classical music of North America, which cooperates with the greatest voices of the world (Placido Domingo opened the season here 21 times). Huge popularity enjoyed a symphony orchestra, chorus, children's chorus Met (as it is called New Yorkers).

The base of the opera took place in typical American style. It created in 1880 by wealthy industrialists (who included Morgans and Vanderbilts), resentful of the fact that "good family", not wanting to recognize the nouveau riche, not allow them to subscribe to lodge in what was then the main opera house in New York - the Academy of Music. Gathered at the restaurant "Delmonico", 22 have established their own theater millionaire. Among them were representatives of the "old money" (for example, Roosevelt), which then immediately expelled from the Academy. In just three years, the Met has become one of the main centers of attraction for the elite of New York and the Academy of Music moved to stage vaudeville.

The victory was achieved by a method that works well in big business. The founders of the theater the first thing to hire the best manager. Brilliant American producer Henry Abby invited to sing the part of Margaret's "Faust" by Charles Gounod amazing Swedish soprano - Christine Nielson, to compete with the Adelina Patti. The success was resounding. This scheme works continue in the beginning of XX century in the Metropolitan Opera came the great Enrico Caruso, debuted here in "Rigoletto" by Giuseppe Verdi. His last game (Eleazar in "La Juive" Fromentalya Halevy) Caruso sang in 1920 was the scene Met. It conducted the great Arturo Toscanini, Gustav Mahler, Kurt Adler, Valery Gergiev.

Initially (from 1883), the Metropolitan Opera in a building located on Broadway between Thirty-ninth and fortieth streets. The project was developed by architect Cleveland Cady; theater burned down in 1892, but was rebuilt and highly regarded for the excellent acoustics of music lovers and elegance. However, in 1966 the opera moved to the building at Lincoln Center, designed by Wallace Harrison. The local hall can accommodate 3,800 spectators and has 195 additional standing places on the first tier and on the balcony. The lobby is decorated with two huge murals by Marc Chagall. Acoustics are also gorgeous. The new theater opened the world premiere of American composer Samuel Barber's "Antony and Cleopatra." As production director Franco Zeffirelli made.

For the season, which lasts from late September to May, the theater puts twenty-seven operas. Performances are every day except Sunday (plus a matinee on Saturday). The repertoire is very wide: from baroque opera of the XVIII century to contemporary performances. Theatre loves gadgets: it operates electronic libretto (monitors with a running text in front of each seat), productions are broadcast FM-broadcast (including over the world - through satellite) for Internet users is available on-line broadcast of the Met.