The hubby went for a bike ride/run in the park on Thursday. Something large was being set up, and not in the bandshell. The whole “Long Meadow” was being overtaken with workmen who were constructing a stage and hanging large speakers. Whatever it was, we knew we had to be there.
When we found out the Metropolitan Opera was doing a summer concert there, out in the open, we packed up our blanket, flask (couldn’t leave Johnny out, of course) and camera and we were there. Best of all, it was FREE! How often does that happen in New York?
The MET has been working on an ongoing initiative to make opera more accessible to New Yorkers and to expand it’s audience. They expected a crowd of up to 150,000 people. There were many sets of speakers and large screens going from the baseball fields (where the stage was setup) all the way to the back of the Long Meadow (which has twice the capacity of the Great Lawn in Central Park.)
The performers were not the young unknown casts that the MET usually boasts for their free summer concerts. The stars were veteran opera performers Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna (real life married couple, deemed “opera’s love couple”.) Instead of a full length opera, they opted for a number of well known arias and music from a variety of famous operas. Among the highlights, a breathtaking Puccini from one of Alagna’s encores and a gorgeous Madama Butterfly aria from Gheorghiu.
The crowd was large (see my Flickr on the sidebar for pics soon), but surprisingly chill. Everyone seemed to have the same idea. Friday night relaxation in Prospect Park. There was a staggeringly high number of children there, but the music must have tamed even the wildest of beasts — I barely heard a peep the entire time we were there. Some spectators had more forethought than ourselves and brought bottles of wine, candles, cheeses, etc. We were happy just to lay on our blanket looking up at the stars on the first night of summer in our favorite park and listen to extraordinary singing. The night was so perfect, you barely noticed you were in a loud bustling city, especially when dusk came and the bats started dive-bombing. It was actually just another amusing part of our evening to sit and watch them fly, trying to guess who would get buzzed next.
It was a great night. I hope they decide to do it again next year. I would make the trek over the river to see it again. Plus, I think I even got the hubby into going to an actual opera!
Prospect Park does “Celebrate Brooklyn” a concert series (usually free) all summer long — click here for details and if you are going to one, let us know!!!
I expected three encores and we got at least six. Strolled home under the stars at a leisurely pace. Popped open a cold beer on arrival at home and within minutes it started raining, truly perfect.