LINCOLN CENTER

Metropolitan Opera
House Tour

"Go behind the scenes for an exclusive look at what it takes to make operatic magic at the Met! Tours offer a fascinating backstage look at one of the world’s premiere performing arts organizations, including visits to the scenic and carpentry shops, rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, and stage area."

"The Metropolitan Opera House is one of the most famous opera houses in the world and the go-to place for New Yorker’s to experience one of the oldest theatrical art forms. Although still strongly associated with Europe, operas have a huge following of fans throughout the world and New York is noted as being one of the prime places for opera singers to showcase their skills on North American soil. The detailed plots, elaborate costumes, and fancy sets on show at the Metropolitan Opera House have made its name synonymous with class and privilege.

The Metropolitan Opera House building is a work of art within its self; high ceilings, glass chandeliers that illuminate gold, lush red carpets, sweeping stairwells…it is truly an architectural masterpiece. The building is also filled with odes to past performances and performers by displaying costumes, photos, and tidbits of information throughout its hallways. Moreover, the building is home to two enormous tapestries by the famed abstract expressionist Marc Chagall. These brilliant works of art hang in the opera houses front windows, as if welcoming visitors.

Even individuals who are not familiar with the opera appreciate the beauty of the Metropolitan Opera House. What surprisingly few people realize is that the Metropolitan Opera House actually offers guided tours of the building. These tours enable attendants to gain a deeper understanding of how the company works while also catching a glimpse of areas unseen by the general public.

Backstage tours occur during the performance season at 3pm on weekdays and Sundays at 10:30am am and 1:30 pm. As is suggested in the name, these tours actually take you backstage to see the inner workings of the Metropolitan Opera House. As a courtesy to the performers, tours are not held on final dress rehearsals dates or days when other special events are taking place in the building. 

Tours of the Met increase your understanding of how the company works. Backstage tours visit production areas not usually seen by the general public. Lincoln Center tours include the front of the house and the auditorium but do not go backstage.

The Metropolitan Opera Guild Backstage Tours are held during the Met performance season at 3:00 pm on weekdays and Sundays at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. Tours are not held on days of final dress rehearsals, or other special events in the opera house."

Below is a bad picture of a great subject.

As we were entering the backstage area Placid Domingo walked right past us!

He was gracious.

He is the short guy on the right looking left.

 The back of the stage behind the set as it was being assembled.

There are FIVE stages!

The one stage you see, a stage left, a stage right, a back stage with the revolving floor, and an additional stage below the main stage that can be raised.

The lumber shop where the sets are made.

There is another shop for the "plastic" sets such as trees and trunks.

One of the areas where costumes are made.

The wig maker at work.

A very crowded passageway.

This is the rehearsal hall with a large mural painting by Raoul Dufy.

This is the shop where the larger sets are made.

The stage being set for the evening performance.