Ultimate Opera: Two Productions at the Met
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At a Glance
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
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
- 2024
- 2025
- 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
- 2024
- 2025
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!