Sunday, October 11, 2009

The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, NYC

Lincoln Center's vast, multi-year makeover, is finally complete, and my husband and I were excited to see our first opera of this new season, Giacomo Puccini's "Tosca." This is one of our favorite operas because it contains one of the most beautiful and dramatic arias of all: "E Luceuan le stelle" In the production we saw Karita Mattila sing the title role, Marcelo Álvarez was Cavaradossi, George Gagnidze was Scarpia, and the conductor was Joseph Colaneri. All were superb!
This was an entirely new production of Tosca and it received some controversy on opening night when the director Luc Bondy and set designer Richard Perduzzi were booed by the audience who disapproved of the new stark set and emphasis on the erotic qualities of the opera's libretto. I also felt this new production was a rather hard and edgy, and to me lacked the romanticism and intrigue of the familiar old Franco Zefferelli production, which we had seen many times over the years. Regardless of the staging, however, Pucinni's music was beautiful and soaring, and for a few hours we were entertained in a most magical way.

All photos will enlarge when clicked on

In the mosaic above you can see some scenes inside The Metropolitan Opera house at Lincoln Center. I took some photos of the seats before most of the audience arrived and the final bows of the performers at the curtain call at the end. There are always costumes from past productions on display in the auditorium hall, and the two seen in this mosaic are prior Tosca gowns.


The Revson fountain that stands at the center of the Josie Robertson Plaza has been replaced by a new version designed by the architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro in association with Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners. The black granite rimmed fountain contains 353 computerized nozzles that spray the water in rhythmic patterns using recycled water, and is lit by 272 lights. The fountain is computerised by the company WET, who are the same people behind the waterworks displays at the Las Vegas Bellagio Hotel.

I have to admit that although I loved the iconic old fountain that used to be in the plaza, the water display of the new fountain was mesmerizing to watch.

The water rises as high as 40 feet!

It dips higher and lower ...

...and begins to dance.....

....from side to side.

If you'd like to watch the whole exciting cycle of the water dance that the fountain makes you can watch this Youtube video:



I am adding this post to Mary's of The Little Red House blog's Mosaic Monday event. Please visit Mary today to see links to other wonderful mosaic creations!

46 comments:

Kathy said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
Have a wonderful new week...Kathy

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos...how exciting to be a part of all this!

I'm wanting to come back...can you tell? LOL

:) Diane

Carol said...

Fantastic! I love the Met! Haven't been in ages! It really is magical!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, Pat! How absolutely wonderful... loved every word and every piture. And love the music, too.

XO,

Sheila:-)

~JarieLyn~ said...

I have never been to an opera before. Your photos are fabulous and I loved reading about your trip and the fountains.

Ebie said...

Lovely mosaic, and I love the dancing fountains, and you captured them beautifully!

Anonymous said...

Oh... You are so-o-o-o lucky to live in such close proximity to such wonderful culture!! It is breath-taking!!
Enjoy it for me.....
Hugs,
Marilyn

Joyce said...

Love the Met and every time I go I think of the movie MOONSTRUCK. Now since the tickets are so pricy I would think they would have lavish sets instead of minimal but hey maybe minimal reflects our economy and they are trying to tell us it is the in look without saying they need more money. We have a new building here in Atlanta and it is state of the art but due to economy they can't seem to fill it and have major lay off with staff. Sad times but I guess it will not be over until the Fat Lady in DC sings:)

Gracie said...

It seems that opera is fashionable, your side of the planet too!

Judy said...

It looks like the 'makeover' turned out fabulously! How fun to take it all in...and share your great pic's with us.

Mary said...

I've never been to the opera, and I'm also thinking of the scene in Moonstruck, which is one of my favorite movies. :) Thanks for sharing this wonderful post at Mosaic MOnday. :)

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Pat - You featured one of my favorite places in NYC. We're going next week for our first opera of the season. I refuse to see that new Tosca production - it's an affront to the PERFECT Zefferelli set of past seasons. I will miss seeing it - and hearing Luciano in the title role. No one beats him. I really love the new fountain display though.

HappyK said...

Wow that fountain is amazing. I bet that is really something to see in person.

Happily Retired Gal said...

WONDERFUL post ... beautiful fountain ... marvelous mosaics and spectacular photos. Thanks so much for sharing ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Tracy said...

Your said it best, Pat....Magical...Just pure magic! :o) Thank you for taking us to this very special opera house. I keep scrolling up and down to look at everything--especially how beautifully you've captured the fantastic fountain! Happy Day, my friend ((HUGS))

Jenny said...

Gorgeous building. Gorgeous fountains! Loved the vicarious trip! Happy Monday!

ellen b. said...

Hi Pat...what fun.
I really like those fountain shots, too.
Just fabulous...

Sea Witch said...

There is nothing like the "Met" and that fabulous chandelier. Sea Witch

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

What a wonderful experience and beautiful place. The fountain is gorgeous!

Just a little something from Judy said...

You are giving each of us a gift in this blog. I receive an education, geography and history lessons, and now today, much needed lessons in culture. These pictures are so exceptional. The ones of the fountains are beautiful and made me wish I could sit for hours and watch them dance. Thank you for all the pictures and the story that went with them.

Wildflowerhouse said...

Your mosaic reflects what a wondeful evening it must have been. Thank you for sharing this with us. Sharon

Joanne Kennedy said...

Wow! How pretty. I do love going to the Opera and that is one beautiful place to get to go.

Lucky lucky girl you are.

Hugs,
Joanne

My name is Riet said...

Beautiful, beautiful pictures and mosaic. The fountain was fantastic
Have a nice day

Brenda Pruitt said...

What a lovely idea for a mosaic! Wish I had that fountain to drown out the sounds of traffic!
Brenda

Kathleen said...

Thank you, Pat..my NY culture coach..
Come out to the country and I'll show you around bumpkin land!
Beautiful Mosaic!

Claudia said...

How lovely - sorry the opera wasn't all you wanted it to be - but the music does soar. Although I confess I am more of a ballet freak and my ballet company of choice is - you guessed it - NYC Ballet at Lincoln Center!

Jeanne said...

All gorgeous! Love that fountain and the front of the building! Sounds like a wonderful evening even with the controversy.

Arlene Delloro said...

It's been too many years since I had a subscription to the Met. Tried to get tickets for Turandot, my favorite, but the dates/times/prices just didn't line up. :(

Anonymous said...

What a delight to discover your blog! My neighbor, who grew up in NYC, just returned from an extraordinary autumn group tour that she is still raving about.

Now I feel like I have just taken one, too. Thank you. Just marked you as a favorite.

xinex said...

Spectacular! How lucky of you to live in a beautiful city!...Christine

Regina said...

Beautiful photos. Gorgeous fountain.
Thank you for sharing.

Claudia said...

The arts touch our soul. Im sorry the opera was not what you had invisioned... but I have to say my love is musical theatre.

The talent with all involved is such a site. Long ago I had the opportunity to do several community theatre presentations and what a joy it was.

I loved the fountain! thanks so much for sharing.

If you ever find time stop by and say hi!

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

Proud Italian Cook said...

Wow, that fountain is just beautiful Pat!It's sad that good things have to change, but at least the music remains the same.

Gracie said...

Yesterday night here it was time for Nabucco, so very good! And the orchestra director, a real "maestro".

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you enjoyed the music even though the staging was unexpected. I had that one when watching Shakespeare where the actors were in modern dress. I prefer traditional -more like the original Elizabethan experience.

Diane AZ said...

I enjoyed your gorgeous mosaic of the opera house and the pictures and video of the fountain. Fun and beautiful post!

Anonymous said...

How very fortunate for you to be able to go the 'The Met' in person and hear live opera. I've only seen pics - from the movie 'Moonstruck' and fell in love with it instantly.

I'm also a huge fan of opera. When I hear it live, I cry big silent tears from the overwhelming beauty of it all.

Thank you so much for sharing - I enjoyed it tremendously!

Zuzu

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I just wanted to make sure that everyone knows that I loved the opera! It was the bare and stark (ugly)sets in the new production which were disappointing. The opening night audience booed the new production manager and set designer so hardly anyone else like it either.

The music and acting were divine, however! Tosca has always been one of my favorite operas

Jennyff said...

To a country girl like me New York is a big scary place, never been but I like it when you take me round.

Icy BC said...

Just fantastic photos, and the mosaic is wonderful! The water fountain is my favorite..

Alicia said...

You did great on those shots of the water fountain dance, how did you do that being that they are action shots? I'm impressed!

Camille said...

That fountain is very cool! I love water fountains. I've never been to an opera. This reminds me that I've never been to an opera and must go some day.

Carol said...

Very exciting! I have been past there, but never inside.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

They were booed. What is the world coming to? My father-in-law loves (really adores) the opera and lived in the city for years. He's 95 and remembers fondly the old Met. He's be outraged to hear about the booing.
Sam

Nola said...

Visiting the Met is right up there on my bucket list! I sigh every time I watch Moonstruck and see them at the Met!

Anonymous said...

People actually booed at the MET. I thought they're too high brow to do that over there. I thought the only booing that goes on is Uptown at the Apollo. LOL!

Paz