MetoperaFamily:紐約大都會歌劇院是美國乃至世界著名歌劇院之一，建成於1965年，是紐約林肯表演藝術中心的核心部分，它的建築風格，融古典與現代於一體，規模龐大，能容納4000多名觀眾，是全世界屈指可數的大劇院之一。

紐約大都會歌劇院（The Metropolitan Opera）是紐約一個具有領導地位的世界級的歌劇院。大都會歌劇院的前身，是19世紀後半葉位於百老匯第39號大街與第40號大街之間的一座劇院。該劇院雖擁有3625個座位，這樣龐大的歌劇院，卻沒有可供那些有錢商人觀看歌劇時使用的固定包箱座位。無數的藝術家們想在這裡一展歌喉，從此走上成功之路。當然，現在在這裡登臺的也大多是超級歌星，表演令人叫絕。

在大都會歌劇院成立之前，紐約只有樂府歌劇院一家，以供富人消遣，但包廂有限。有一天，一位範先生見他夫人分配不到包廂，便和羅斯福、易賽蘭、葛雷特、亞斯多、毛根等同好合作，籌集了近800萬美元美金，決定建造一座更好的劇院，這就是大都會歌劇院。

登臺紐約大都會歌劇院是世界各國歌唱家的夢想。自20世紀80年代以來，已有數位享譽中外的華人歌唱家登臺大都會歌劇院並擔任重要角色。鄧韻，著名旅美女中音歌唱家(現廣州鱒魚歌劇藝術團藝術總監)，是紐約大都會歌劇院的首位簽約華人歌唱家。她先後在大都會歌劇院演出過《弄臣》、《蝴蝶夫人》、《卡門》等二十多部經典歌劇。其他先後在大劇院登臺的華人歌唱家包括付海靜(男中音)，田浩江(男低音)，黃英(女高音)，沈洋(男低音)等。華人歌唱家在大都會的登臺不僅為大都會的演出陣容增添了特色，也為全世界的華人帶來了驕傲。

紐約大都會歌劇院裝備極為完善。觀眾大廳仍是傳統的馬蹄形，有座席3788個，如若加上站席，和特別照顧殘疾、病人的輪椅，總共能容下4077人。建築的規模，可以稱得上是龐大無比。觀眾廳體積很大，平均有24米高，周圍五層樓座，分三面環繞，其中兩側的是淺樓座，二層是包廂。舞臺不但面積大，而且滿布著各種精巧複雜的機械裝置。

主臺上裝著7塊升降臺，有了這些升降臺，上可搭出山陵臺殿，下可表現湖海江河，舞臺設計更加靈活方便。兩邊側臺上的車臺，都可以分成小塊單獨運動，凡9米以下的佈景，全能靠安迅速更換。後舞臺上則有一個直徑18米的轉檯，能開到主表演區上旋轉。樂隊所在的樂池，也分做前後兩塊，可以上下升降。

The Metropolitan Opera, now in its 129th season, is a vibrant home for the most creative and talented artists, including singers, conductors, composers, orchestra musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers, and dancers from around the world. Known as the venue for the world’s greatest voices, the Met has been under the musical direction of James Levine since 1976. Maestro Levine is credited with having created one of opera’s finest orchestras and choruses.

In the summer of 2006, Peter Gelb became the Met’s 16th General Manager. Under the leadership of Gelb and Levine, the Met has been elevating the company’s theatrical standards by significantly increasing the number of new productions, staged by the most imaginative directors working in theater and opera. The company is also securing increased commitments from the world’s greatest singers. The Met has launched a series of initiatives to broaden its audience internationally; efforts have ranged from transmitting operas live in high definition to movie theaters around the world to hosting free Open Dress Rehearsals for the general public. To revitalize the company’s repertory, the Met has pledged to present modern masterpieces alongside the classic repertory.

The Metropolitan Opera was 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. In the company’s early years, the management changed course several times, first performing everything in Italian (even Carmen and Lohengrin), then everything in German (even Aida and Faust), before finally settling into a policy of performing most works in their original language, with some notable exceptions.