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!
Itinerary
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.
Read More.
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.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
11 meals (
5B, 2L, 4D
)
12 expert-led lectures
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
New York
Meals:
D
Stay:
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 p.m. Join us in the meeting room to register with the program staff and receive a final itinerary and any updated information. The location of our Road Scholar meeting room will be sent to you the week before in a welcome email from the program provider. Hotel security will also be able to direct you. If you arrive after this evening's scheduled events, the Group Leader will leave an envelope with the Front Desk; please ask for it when you arrive. Orientation: 4:30 p.m. In the same space, 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 a strong sampling across multiple departments. A final list of speakers and their bios will be included with your orientation materials. 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 a restaurant conveniently located inside the hotel. Dinner is included at this restaurant even if you arrive late. This program is able to offer vegetarian and gluten free meal alternatives. The gluten free meals are not guaranteed against cross contamination. While modifications to accommodate other dietary restrictions might be possible on a case by case basis, they cannot be guaranteed. Participants requiring other alternatives should discuss with the group leader upon arrival, be prepared to self-select from the included menu choices and discuss modifications with the serving staff at the restaurants.
Evening:
Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Introduction to Opera, History of The Met Opera House
Location:
New York
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
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 considering '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 continue examining opera in NYC through an additional lecture.
Dinner:
At a neighborhood restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Meet Opera Professionals, Performance at The Met Opera
Location:
New York
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
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 usually announces the fall/spring season in the preceding spring. This page will be updated shortly thereafter.
Day
4
Performance Review-Critique, The Met & New Media, Free Time
Location:
New York
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
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. The Group Leader will happily assist you in planning your afternoon. Perhaps it’s a visit to one of NYC’s many museums, or maybe catch a Broadway matinee. 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.
Day
5
Overview of Our Second Opera, Meet a Met Performer
Location:
New York
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
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 member of the Met's creative staff to learn about how productions are mounted.
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 usually announces the fall/spring season in the preceding spring. This page will be updated shortly thereafter.
Day
6
Performance Review-Critique, Program Concludes
Location:
New York
Meals:
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!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.
Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Dec 6 - Dec 11, 2026 Itinerary Differences:
The Met is expected to announce their 2026/2027 season in March 2026.