The Metropolitan Opera House is one of the most esteemed opera houses in the world. It was designed as part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts by Wallace K. Harrison. It was created to replace the original Metropolitan Opera House which was located at the corner of Broadway and 39th Street. Construction for the new opera house began in 1963 and was completed in 1966. The Metropolitan Opera is the largest repertory opera house in the world with a seating capacity of 3,800.
With hydraulic elevators, rigging systems, and motorized platforms the Met is the most technologically advanced Opera House stage in the world. The creative mixture of technologies and set design allows the Met to perform an array of operas. They can perform simple stories with the beautiful stage and curtains alone as well as take on four part operas by using their ever changing set. They are able to raise parts of the stage above anyone’s view, lower it into the ground, put a pond center stage, and even show a parade featuring live horses pulling carriages.
The Metropolitan Opera house is world renowned for many reasons. The venue itself is just one. People come from all over the world to see performances, famous performers, and conductors. However, most visitors overlook the amazing feat of architecture they are in. The building and ingenuity that was put into it allow the amazing operas, ballets, and concerts to the performed and enjoyed at the highest quality that exists in the world.
