Metropolitan Opera House

The Metropolitan Opera was founded in 1883 on 39th and but moved to its currently location at the spectacular Lincoln Center in 1966. The Met is the largest classical music organization in North America presenting 27 different operas each year with a policy to present most in their original language with some notable exceptions. The Met has a long history of notable singers and conductors and continues to attract the best from all over the world. In recent years, The Met has made a considerable effort to engage new audiences and has launched their successful Live in HD series which transmits operas to movie theatres around the world. Its spectacular lobby is worth a visit in itself – it features eleven sparkling crystal chandeliers resembling constellations with moons and satellites spraying out in all directions. These were a gift from the government of Austria as repayment for American aid during the Marshall Plan. Additionally, the lobby holds two great murals by Marc Chagall and sculptures by Aristide Maillol and Wilhelm Lehmbruck as well as portraits of notable performers and members of the Met company.