The Opera

The first opera (Dafne by Jacopo Peri) was performed in Italy in the late 16th century. Opera as an art form and as entertainment quickly spread throughout Europe.

An operatic performance includes singers, musicians (an orchestra most often), scenery, costumes (sometimes elaborate), and occasionally even dance. The story lines of operas are most often about tragic or dramatic circumstances but comedic operas have been written as well.

Opera is often performed in "opera houses" — buildings that are constructed for the main purpose of presenting operatic performances. But operas are also presented in performing arts centers that house other forms of entertainment.

A stage, a backstage area, an orchestra pit and audience seating are necessary parts of a building used to stage operatic performances.

The center of the opera universe in America is generally considered to be the Metropolitan Opera, usually simply referred to as "The Met." The Met is 125 years old now.

The first Metropolitan Opera House was built on Broadway and 39th Street in 1893 by a group of wealthy businessmen who wanted their own opera house. It was clear from the beginning that the Metropolitan Opera House was inadequate for staging operas. But the Metropolitan Open insisted on going it alone and simply couldn't afford to upgrade its facilities. It wasn't until 1966 when the Metropolitan Opera joined with other performing arts groups and built the Lincoln Center that the facilities were upgraded.

The newer version of the Metropolitan Opera House opened at Lincoln Center in September 1966. It was equipped with the finest technical facilities of the decade, but that was 42 years ago. Those modern facilities of 1966 are outdated. The place is drafty and more space is needed. It's time to upgrade again!