Trip Report – Jessica

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Trip Report

       The Metropolitan Opera, also known as the Met Opera was where I visited. The Met Opera is known for its outstanding and creative performances. The theatre was said to be founded in 1883 with its first opera house built on Broadway and 39th Street by a group of wealthy businessmen who wanted their own theater. (www.metopera.org). The Metropolitan Opera is a beautiful place situated in New York, at the Lincoln Center. The center has grown a lot since its creation. It has prospered through its many but different performances and the great conductors that helped shaped it.

      I visited the place with my three sisters. We decided to not go at night so to avoid the crowdedness and to admire the view fully. Although going in the afternoon wasn’t as bright as it could be since there wasn’t as much lights, that is inside the building and in the fountain, nonetheless, the natural view was appreciated. Unfortunately for us, there weren’t any shows on that day and we weren’t allowed to enter the performance rooms. As we reached our destination, right before we entered the building we took some time to look around. There were a few people around 40 to 50 in number, which according to the security was way less than usual. Right in the center, and in front of The Metropolitan Opera House was the water fountain. There were a lot of people just sitting around and taking pictures around the fountain. Majority of the people were around the fountain trying to cool down from the air and sprinkles of water coming from the fountain since it was a bit hot that day. The lights in the fountain weren’t on at that time but it was still admirable. The people there were mostly couples and families, there were barely people walking around by themselves. I also noticed that there were a few kids who had their musical instruments with them for a reason. It could have been for practice since there weren’t shows on that time. There also didn’t seem to be many tourists, only a few, the people all seemed to be there to sit and enjoy the scenery or to buy tickets for the next show. At a point when we were walking two guys who were video calling a friend from upstate it seems, were so excited to show him around and boast about how they were in New York City, which was quite amusing. I felt a connection of some sort to them because there have been a few times when my friends have gone out without me and deemed it funny to call me and be in my face about it. There were a few other buildings at the Lincoln Center, like The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and the Lincoln Center Theater. 

We decided it was time to enter the Opera House after looking around the front for a while. I was informed by the security that we could not go up because there weren’t any shows going on at that time and that it wasn’t open yet. Every worker there was nice and informative. Their priority was to help the people around and ensure continuity and order in things. In the lobby, you could see the chandeliers from the first floor. The chandeliers go all the way down from the top floor to the bottom and lights up the place so exquisitely. Inside the building from the left is the gallery, which wasn’t that big in size. Picture-taking wasn’t allowed in the Gallery. There were pictures of shoes that had been performed in the Opera and ones that have made the Opera really popular, performance wise. On the right side of the Opera House was the shop. Inside the shop were different costumes and artifacts purchasable by collectors and cosplayers. There were clothes from performances based on the oldies and modern ones and also jewelry famous for its purpose like masquerade masks, hats. For instance, there were the ornaments the Pharaohs put on to show their power and position. In the shop were miniature artifacts put together for decoration, like keyboards, cellos, chef sets, and globes.  Right at the entrance of the shop were ballet shoes that have been designed attractively and magnificently in some cases. All these ornaments are sold to the customers and help promote the Opera in more ways than one. One, for financial sources and commercial ways through souvenirs. There are two escalators next to the shop. We didn’t go down since there were no events going on and the only people going down there asked to use the bathrooms

We exited the building and opted to look at the ones surrounding it. There was a statue right in front of the The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. A black statue that really looked like a dog in my opinion, but everyone else thought I was seeing something different. There was also the Lincoln Center Theatre right next to it. It had bright lights as it’s sign used to draw in customers and tourists. There were three different writings on that building namely; My Fair Lady, New Artists New Audiences, and Admissions all written on three different clear glass doors. There were two statues in the center of a little pond-like water with manmade grass stairs around it for people to sit on and relax. There were chairs and benches for people to sit and eat or just relax. In all the Metropolitan Opera House is a place where I would recommend for anyone to go to either to relax or watch a show. It is a place designed gracefully and magnificently.