Il Trittico at The Metropolitan Opera at Linclon Center, NYC

Every time I arrive at The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, I feel just like the character Loretta did in the movie "Moonstruck." No matter how many times I go, I am always in awe when I first walk up the steps of the Josie Robertson Plaza and see the beautiful new fountain and the Metropolitan Opera house in the background.

To my left is the newly named David H. Koch Theater, where "The Nutcracker" ballet is now in production. ( almost all photos will enlarge when clicked on)

To my right is Avery Fisher Hall

There are many more theaters located in other areas of the Lincoln Center Performing Arts complex, but these three are the most predominant and easily seen from the street.

On Tuesday evening we attend the The Metropolitan Opera’s new production of “Il Trittico,” composer Giacomo Puccini’s triptych of three one-act operas, which is the most elaborate productions in the company’s current repertory.

The first opera is "Il Tabarro” followed by "Suor Angelica" and finally "Gianni Schicchi" with an intermission between each to allow for the elaborate sets to change.

Our seats are in a Dress Circle box this year. There are wonderful acoustics in these seats but slightly partial view of the stage, which honestly has not added to our experience. We have been attending opera for many years and every now and then try a different location just to make it a different experience, but I do not think we'll order side box seats again unless it is absolutely necessary.

A view of the Swarovski crystal chandelier lights after they have risen to the ceiling of the opera house just before the lights dim and the music begins. It is always a moment of anticipation and excitement as I know I will be spending the next few hours hearing the most beautiful music in a setting that will transport me to another location, and another place in time.

The full synopsis of the three one act operas can be read at this link on the Metropolitan Opera web site.

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Each time the curtain rose the audience applauded for the set designs by Douglas W. Schmidt.

The photo above is of the set for the first one act opera, "Il Tabbaro." Set on a barge in the Seine in Paris, the part of Georgetta was played by the soprano Patricia Racette.

Ms Racette mastered the feat of doing the main soprano role in all three opera acts this evening, as did mezzo soprano Stephanie Blythe who did the supporting roles is all three of the operas. Both were mesmerizing!

Il Tabarro is a story of faded love, jealousy and revenge and portrays death as the brutal justice exacted by a wronged husband upon his wife’s lover.

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A photo of the end of the second opera "Suor Angelica."

Suor Angelica takes place in a convent where Sister Angelica was placed because she disgraced her family by giving birth to an illegitimate child. The fervor of repentance is destroyed when her aunt visits after a seven year absence to make Angelica sign over her inheritance to her younger sister. She in turn tells her that her child has died. In anguish Angelica chooses suicide as the young nun desperately yearns to be with her dead child in paradise. It was hard to keep a dry eye as you watch her agony and hear the celestial choir singing.

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The opening set of 'Gianni Schicchi"

In the irreverent “Gianni Schicchi” death is a pesky impediment to the greedy relatives of wealthy Buoso Donati who has willed his entire estate to a monastery. They are persuaded by a young Rinuccio to let his girlfriend Lauretta's father Gianni Schicchi help them to change the will so that they can earn the inheritance they believe is rightly theirs. What results is slapstick type humorous deception that made the audience chuckle and laugh many times in amusement. If anything, the aria "Un Mio Babbino Caro" sung in Gianni Schicchi is worth the price of admission.

The final bow and curtain call of the Gianni Schicchi cast. Sorry for the blurriness of the photo, as I took these photos with my little pocket camera and no flash.

It was a magnificent evening!

Sadly due to ongoing construction, Lincoln Center Plaza did not have a Christmas tree this holiday season for the second year in a row.

A smaller tree covered in blue lights and fanciful Jane Jenni melamine plates with the assistance of the American Folk Art Museum was placed across the street in Dante Park in a Winter's Eve celebration by the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District which you can see above.

Some close ups of some of the cute designs of the plates:

It was pretty, in a colorful cheerful way, but lacked the grandeur of the usual Lincoln Center Christmas tree which may not be back next year either as construction is not expected to be fully completed until 2011.

I couldn't resist showing this photo I took as we drove close to Times Square when we left after the opera finished after midnight. Less crowds, but still ablaze with lights! New York is truly a "city that never sleeps!"

At one point the only cars surrounding us were taxi cabs zipping around trying to pick up or drop off fares.

One last look at the large bright moon that was in the sky that night -- " La Bella Luna" as it is said in Italian.

It was definitely a magical moon struck night!