The Metropolitan Opera is the largest center for classical music in North America, which collaborates with the greatest voices of the world (Placido Domingo has opened a season 21 times). Huge popular are the Symphony orchestra, choir, children's choir Meth (as it is called, new Yorkers).

The basis of the Opera occurred in typical American style. It was created in 1880 wealthy Industrialists (among whom were the Morgans and the Vanderbilts), offended at the fact that "good families", not wanting to admit Nouveau riche, don't give them subscribed to Lodge in what was then the main Opera theatre of new York-Academy of music. Having met in the restaurant "Delmonico", 22 millionaire has established his own theatre. Among them were representatives of the "old money" (for example, the Roosevelts), which then immediately expelled from the Academy. Just three years Meth has become one of the main centers of attraction for the elite of new York, and the Academy of music moved to staging vaudeville.

The victory was achieved by methods that work well in big business. Founders theatre first hired the best impresario. Brilliant American producer Henry Abby was invited to sing the role of Marguerite in "Faust" by Charles Gounod amazing Swedish soprano Christine Nilsson, to compete with the Adelina Patti. The success was resounding. This scheme worked and further: in the beginning of XX century at the Metropolitan Opera came the great Enrico Caruso, which debuted here in "Rigoletto" by Giuseppe Verdi. My last batch (eléazar in La Juive of Fromental Halevy) Caruso sang in 1920 on the stage of the Met. Here was conducted by the great Arturo Toscanini, Gustav Mahler, Kurt Adler, Valery Gergiev.

At first (since 1883) Metropolitan Opera house was located on Broadway between Thirty-ninth and Fortieth streets. The project was designed by architect Cleveland Cady; theatre burned down in 1892, but was rebuilt and was highly prized by audiophiles for excellent acoustics and elegance. In 1966, however, the Opera moved to the building at the Lincoln center, designed by Wallace Harrison. Local hall can accommodate 3,800 and has 195 additional standing room on the first floor and on the balcony. The lobby is decorated with two giant murals by Marc Chagall. The acoustics are great. The new theatre was opened with the world premiere of an Opera by American composer Samuel Barber's "Antony and Cleopatra". As a stage Director was made by Franco Zeffirelli.

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 ranges from the Baroque operas of the eighteenth century to modern performances. Theater loves gadgets: here there is an electronic libretto system (monitors with scrolling text in front of each seat), the performances are broadcast FM broadcast (including around the world via satellite channels), for Network users is available online broadcast from the Met.