New York

Ultimate Opera: Two Productions at the Met

Program No. 12726RJ
Fulfill a dream and come to New York to attend two performances at the Metropolitan Opera House. Plus, enjoy a private demonstration by an outstanding professional singer!

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At a Glance

Experience the ultimate in opera as you attend two performances at the world-famous Metropolitan Opera House, part of New York City’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and get a glimpse behind the scenes as you meet and talk with professionals in the opera world.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day with stairs. Public transportation used exclusively throughout program.

What You'll Learn

  • Attend two opera performances at the legendary Metropolitan Opera House.
  • Enjoy presentations by professionals such as singers, an opera director, conductor, chorus master or historian (as available).
  • Delight in a private demonstration with an outstanding professional singer.

General Notes

Two levels of seating available. Select seating at time of registration.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Daniel Egan
Daniel Egan has degrees in music theory from St. Olaf, the Eastman School of Music and Yale, where he is on faculty. He has appeared as soloist or ensemble singer with the New York Philharmonic, Opera Orchestra of New York, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and was in the permanent ensemble at New York City Opera. His recordings include “Sweeney Todd” with the New York Philharmonic and backup vocals for Patti Page’s "Live at Carnegie Hall: The 50th Anniversary Concert.” Both earned Grammy nominations.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

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Daniel Egan View biography
Daniel Egan has degrees in music theory from St. Olaf, the Eastman School of Music and Yale, where he is on faculty. He has appeared as soloist or ensemble singer with the New York Philharmonic, Opera Orchestra of New York, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and was in the permanent ensemble at New York City Opera. His recordings include “Sweeney Todd” with the New York Philharmonic and backup vocals for Patti Page’s "Live at Carnegie Hall: The 50th Anniversary Concert.” Both earned Grammy nominations.
Profile Image of Kevin McGee
Kevin McGee View biography
Kevin McGee lives a half-mile from where he was born on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Columbia’s School of General Studies. Most of his working career was in administration for video-sound facilities specializing in television production. He later served as Director of Development Operations at Union Theological Seminary where he designed and led explorations of the landmarked campus in Morningside Heights. Since retirement, Kevin continues to take great pleasure in sharing New York City, his home, with visitors.
Profile Image of Karl Baudendistel
Karl Baudendistel View biography
A New York City resident for more than 25 years, Karl Baudendistel loves sharing his knowledge of the city with visitors from around the world. Having spent 20 years overseeing ‘the business of show business’ for numerous Broadway and touring productions, chances are he’s been to a city near you. Karl is a member of The Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers, is a trained sommelier and was educated at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
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Year
2025
  • 2024
  • 2025
Date
Dec 07 - Dec 12
  • Jan 19 - Jan 24
  • Mar 09 - Mar 14
  • Apr 26 - May 01
  • May 11 - May 16
  • Oct 26 - Oct 31
  • Nov 09 - Nov 14
  • Dec 07 - Dec 12
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Dec 7 - Dec 12, 2025 Itinerary Differences: The Met is expected to announce their 2025/2026 season in March 2025.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2025
  • 2024
  • 2025
Dec 07 - Dec 12
  • Jan 19 - Jan 24
  • Mar 09 - Mar 14
  • Apr 26 - May 01
  • May 11 - May 16
  • Oct 26 - Oct 31
  • Nov 09 - Nov 14
  • Dec 07 - Dec 12
Dec 7 - Dec 12, 2025 Itinerary Differences: The Met is expected to announce their 2025/2026 season in March 2025.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
11 meals
5 B 2 L 4 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
New York
D
New Yorker Hotel

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00-4:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the designated meeting room to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 4:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our speakers are professionals in the opera world of New York City, most directly related to The Metropolitan Opera. We strive to present participants with a strong sampling across multiple departments. A final list of speakers and their credentials will be included with your orientation materials. Dinners are early in order to have plenty of time available for engaging in evening activities as a group and individually. We will be walking a lot and using the New York City subway system that involves going up and down flights of stairs, long corridors, and often crowded conditions. It’s what New Yorkers do every day! Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At Trattoria Bianca, conveniently located inside the hotel. Dinner is included at this restaurant even if you arrive late.

Evening: Wrapping up the evening and weather permitting, we will set out on a walk to become familiar with the neighborhood around the hotel. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
History of Opera, Lincoln Center
New York
B,L,D
New Yorker Hotel

Activity note: Use of New York City subway; walking approximately 1 mile.

Breakfast: In the hotel's Tick Tock Diner.

Morning: We will convene in our designated meeting room within the hotel. Our Resident Expert will introduce us to our week of opera, engaging in a conversation of what is opera. Later, we’ll continue our series of dynamic and informative lectures and discussions about the opera in NYC.

Lunch: In the meeting room, we’ll have a boxed lunch while viewing the documentary film, “The Opera House.” This terrific film was made to commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Met’s move to Lincoln Center and is a wonderful introduction to “the temple,” as Leontyne Price calls it.

Afternoon: We will head uptown via subway for a private exploration of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts campus. The 16.3-acre complex is home to The Met and 10 other resident arts organizations including The NYC Ballet and the NY Philharmonic. The visit does not include backstage access to The Metropolitan Opera House.

Dinner: At a neighborhood restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Meet Opera Professionals, Performance at The Met Opera
New York
B,D
New Yorker Hotel

Activity note: Use of New York City subway; walking approximately 1 mile.

Breakfast: In the Tick Tock Diner.

Morning: We'll continue our series of lectures and discussions with professionals from the Opera world, including an introductory talk about the opera and composer we'll be experiencing tonight.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: Back at the hotel, we’ll have one talk this afternoon.

Dinner: We’ll take the subway up to a restaurant near Lincoln Center. Following dinner, we’ll walk about six blocks to The Metropolitan Opera House.

Evening: First performance at The Metropolitan Opera House. The Met is expected to announce the 2025/2026 season in March 2025. This page will be updated shortly thereafter.

DAY
4
Performance Review-Critique, The Met & New Media, Free Time
New York
B,L
New Yorker Hotel

Activity note: Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: In the Tick Tock Diner.

Morning: Led by our Academic Coordinator, we’ll engage in a discussion and critique of last night’s performance. With another expert, we’ll look at how The Met has, since inception, looked to expand the opera-going audience.

Lunch: In the hotel meeting room.

Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. Perhaps it’s a visit to one of NYC’s many museums, or maybe catch a Broadway matinee. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. New York has literally thousands of dining options. This might be your big splurge meal or a quick bite before taking in a show.

Evening: At leisure. See and do what you like and make your visit to NYC even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. We highly recommend checking www.metopera.org if you’re interested in taking in a third opera performance while you're in town. The Met usually has a show on Wednesday night.

DAY
5
Overview of Our Second Opera, Meet a Met Performer
New York
B,D
New Yorker Hotel

Activity note: Use of New York City subway; walking approximately 1 mile.

Breakfast: In the Tick Tock Diner.

Morning: We’ll be rejoined by our expert who will provide an overview of the opera we will attend this evening. We’ll then meet another expert to learn about one last aspect of opera.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Regrouping at the hotel, we’ll meet a Metropolitan Opera performer and learn what’s involved.

Dinner: We’ll take the subway up to a restaurant near Lincoln Center. Following dinner, we’ll walk about six blocks to The Metropolitan Opera House.

Evening: Second performance at The Metropolitan Opera House. The Met is expected to announce the 2025/2026 season in March 2025. This page will be updated shortly thereafter.

DAY
6
Performance Review-Critique, Program Concludes
New York
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: In the hotel meeting room.

Morning: With our expert, we’ll have a discussion and critique of last night’s performance as well as a review of the week as a whole, ending at approximately 10:00 a.m. This concludes our program. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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