The Metropolitan Opera in New York is, without question, one of the world’s preeminent opera halls. Warmly referred to as “the Met” by locals, it has staged legendary performances for more than a century. This New York opera institution offers lavish productions and top-notch performers. So, if you want to catch a performance at the Metropolitan Opera, we have the perfect guide!
Calendar of productions
The Metropolitan Opera presents a rotating repertory of operas during their annual calendar. The season runs from late September through May. There are up to seven performances of four different works each week, usually weekday and Saturday evenings, and a matinée on Saturday.
Each season, the Metropolitan Opera promises its audiences an unrivalled selection of world-class performances – blending tradition and innovation – on one of the grandest stages in the world. Audiences can look forward to a rich line-up of exciting new productions and a variety of revived classics featuring some of today’s most celebrated voices and conductors.
A quick history
The Metropolitan Opera Company was founded in 1880 as an alternative to the old established Academy of Music. The first Met subscribers included members of the Morgan, Roosevelt, and Vanderbilt families. The new opera house, which would be home to the Opera Company opened on October 22, 1883.
Since then, the Met has staged U.S. premieres of some of the most important operas, as well as more than 30 world premieres.
Famous performers
The Met is particularly known for its legendary conductors and stellar singers, which have included:
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Conductors: Gustav Mahler, Arturo Toscanini, Leonard Bernstein, and James Levine, Valery Gergiev, Fabio Luisi and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who is the current Music Director.
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Singers: Enrico Caruso, Leontyne Price, Renata Tebaldi, Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Beverly Sills, Renee Fleming, and Anna Netrebko. Jonas Kaufmann, Angel Blue, Piotr Beczała, Joyce DiDonato.
In addition to presenting the world’s best singers, the Met discovers and trains artists through its National Council Auditions and Lindemann Young Artist Development Program.
How to Get There
The Metropolitan Opera House is located at 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, between West 62nd and 65th Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
By Public Transport
- The easiest way to reach the Met is by subway — take the 1 train to 66th Street–Lincoln Center Station, just a short walk from the entrance. Several city buses also stop nearby, including the M5, M7, M10, M11, M20, M66, M104, and BxM2. For up-to-date routes and schedules, check the MTA’s official website.
By Car
- If you prefer to drive, Lincoln Center’s underground parking garage offers convenient, secure parking with entrances on West 62nd and West 65th Streets. You can reserve a space in advance, and accessible parking is available. Be aware that Manhattan traffic can be heavy and parking rates are high, so public transport is often the faster and more affordable choice.
Buying tickets for the Metropolitan Opera
Attending the Met is an unforgettable experience, and there are several ways to score tickets — from premium seats to budget options — depending on your timing and flexibility.
Regular & subscription tickets
You can purchase subscription packages (for multiple performances in a season) or single tickets via three main channels: Online (via the Met’s official website), By phone at 212-362-6000, at the box office. Keep in mind: single-ticket purchases are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
The Met uses a dynamic pricing model, meaning ticket costs shift based on demand, seat location, and timing. Prices currently range from $20 – $30 for more affordable options up to several hundred dollars for prime seats.
Last minute or budget tickets
If you’re spontaneous, or budget-conscious, some last-minute or lower-cost options are available — though they may require timing and luck:
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Standing Room Tickets: These are offered on the day of the performance, when the show is sold out. You can buy them online, by phone, or at the box office.
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Rush Tickets: These are limited, lower-cost tickets released on the day of the performance, and are ONLY available via the Met’s website (no more in-person or phone rush sales). They go on sale at different times depending on the performance. However, these tickets are very limited and in high demand, so be quick!
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Reduced price tickets for active military and veterans, students, groups and opera-goers under 40 – check out the main tickets pages to find out more information about the special offers that might suit your situation.
Backstage tours
Take a Backstage Tour with the Metropolitan Opera Guild to see the Met like few visitors ever do. Walk through rehearsal rooms, costume and set shops, and catch a glimpse of the main stage while learning how world-class productions come to life. Tours run during the performance season, weekdays at 3 PM and Sundays at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM, and tickets cost $25 for general admission or $18 for students and groups of 10 or more. Tours aren’t held on days of final dress rehearsals or special events, so it’s best to reserve in advance.
Etiquette for attending the opera
Dress code
While there is no dress code at the Met, the setting and occasion are somewhat formal. The Met recommends comfortable clothing appropriate for a professional setting.
Timekeeping
It’s important to note that, if you arrive late, you will not be allowed to enter the auditorium until a suitable intermission. Similarly, patrons who may need to leave the auditorium during a performance, for a bathroom break, for example, will not be readmitted until an appropriate interval. This is to show respect to the performers and fellow audience members who do not want to be disturbed mid-act. There are areas off the North and South sides of the Orchestra level where latecomers can watch the performance on monitors until they are allowed to enter.
Cloakroom
There is a coat check station located on the South Concourse level. For security reasons, luggage or other large items are not permitted in the theater. Binoculars are available for rental at the coat check. The cost is $5, and a major credit card or driver’s license is required as a deposit.
What to look out for when you visit
The Lobby
The grandiose opera house opened in 1966, replacing the original 1883 opera house that was located south of Times Square. The lobby spaces feature curvaceous lines and staircases that make the various levels appear to flow into one another.
Make sure you check out the starburst crystal chandeliers (a gift of the Austrian government) and the two immense paintings by Marc Chagall flanking the building’s facade.
Costumes & Memorabilia
Costumes and memorabilia from the Met’s illustrious past are displayed in locations in the lobby, and a portrait gallery of great Met artists is found on the lower level of the lobby.
The Auditorium
The auditorium (capacity 3,975) features five seating levels above the orchestra (ground floor) that include box seats and balconies, with outstanding acoustics. The décor is primarily red velvet, gold leaf, and starburst crystal chandeliers which rise to the ceiling as the house lights dim at the start of each performance.
The auditorium also features Met Titles, which are seen on individual screens on the seat backs and at all Standing Room locations. Met Titles provide simultaneous translations of the operas in multiple languages.
Restaurant, bars and shop
The Grand Tier Restaurant is open two hours prior to curtain to ticket-holders for pre-curtain and intermission dining. Reservations are required.
The Revlon Bar offers light snacks and a full-service bar. It is also open two hours prior to curtain for pre-curtain and intermission dining. There are four additional bars on various levels of the theater that offer pre-curtain and intermission beverages and snacks.
The Met Opera Shop, located beside the box office, sells CDs, DVDs, books, and special items inspired by Met productions and the company’s history. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 10pm (the end of evening performance’s second intermission), and Sunday 12pm to 6pm.
Can’t make it to the Met?
On demand performances
If you can’t attend a performance at the Metropolitan Opera House, you can still experience world-class opera from home. Met Opera on Demand offers streaming access to over 900 full-length performances. This includes classics, Live in HD broadcasts, and archival broadcasts dating back to 1935. Available on various devices, it’s a convenient way to enjoy opera at your leisure.
Podcast series
For insightful discussions and behind-the-scenes insights, explore the Met’s podcast offerings. The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast features opera lectures, artist interviews, and more. Aria Code, a collaboration with WQXR and WNYC Studios, delves into the stories behind some of opera’s most legendary arias. Whether you’re at home or on the go, these resources bring the magic of the Met to you.
FAQ´s – The Metropolitan Opera
Are there accessible seating options at the Met?
Yes! The Metropolitan Opera provides accessible seating for patrons with mobility needs, as well as companion seating. Wheelchair spaces are available on all levels of the auditorium. It’s best to book these seats in advance through the box office or the Met’s website.
Can I bring food or drinks into the opera house?
No, outside food or drinks are allowed inside the Met. However, the Grand Tier Restaurant and the bars inside the opera house offer pre-show and intermission dining options, including snacks, beverages, and full meals for ticket holders.
Are cameras or recording devices allowed during performances?
No, photography, videography, or audio recording is not permitted inside the auditorium during performances. This ensures the experience is enjoyable for everyone and protects the rights of performers and production teams. However, as mentioned above, you can enjoy a host of videos and on demand options, which will be much better quality than anything you could record in person.
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