The opulent Metropolitan Opera House was abuzz on Sunday night as eager patrons, perched on scalloped balconies, sought a peek at the pre-curtain spectacle. It was a lavish cocktail hour, where A-listers mingled, sipped champagne, savored caviar-topped canapés, and gracefully navigated the glittering crowd.
Under the dazzling chandeliers of Lincoln Center, a host of prominent figures, including Senator Chuck Schumer, Christine Baranski, Laverne Cox, John Turturro, and B.J. Novak, arrived in their finest black-tie attire to inaugurate the Metropolitan Opera’s highly anticipated new season.
Actor and comedian B.J. Novak humorously captured the atmosphere, remarking, “It’s like a Bugs Bunny cartoon of something fancy to do in New York.”
Weeks prior, the Metropolitan Opera had revealed a significant deal with Saudi Arabia, promising to bring opera performances to the kingdom for three weeks annually. This agreement, expected to inject over $100 million into the Met and ease its financial pressures, had sparked some debate. Yet, on opening night, a palpable sense of excitement permeated the air.
The evening’s artistic centerpiece was the premiere of ‘The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,’ a new opera by Mason Bates, based on Michael Chabon’s acclaimed novel. This compelling work tells the story of two Jewish cousins crafting comic books amidst the backdrop of World War II. The gala successfully raised an impressive $4.3 million.
Addressing the full house before the curtain rose, Peter Gelb, the Met’s general manager, powerfully reaffirmed the institution’s unwavering dedication to its artistic community.
Gelb declared, “At the Met, we’re proudly standing for freedom of artistic expression,” before inviting Senator Schumer to the stage. The Senator echoed sentiments on free speech and artistic liberty, his remarks met with a distinctive blend of both enthusiastic applause and dissenting boos from the audience.
