Metropolitan Opera House: Lincoln Center's Crown Jewel

The Metropolitan Opera House is one of New York's premier venues for live entertainment. Located at 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, this opera house has a capacity of 3,794 seats plus 245 standing positions and has been a fixture of the city's cultural landscape since 1966.

History of Metropolitan Opera House

The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center opened on September 16, 1966, with the world premiere of Samuel Barber's Antony and Cleopatra. Designed by Wallace K. Harrison, the building replaced the original Met on West 39th Street that had served as America's premier opera house since 1883.

The facade is defined by five towering arched windows that frame the lobby, where two monumental murals by Marc Chagall greet visitors. Le Triomphe de la Musique and Les Sources de la Musique, each measuring 30 by 36 feet, are among the largest works Chagall ever created. The lobby also features eleven Austrian crystal chandeliers, gifts from the Republic of Austria, that rise to the ceiling before each performance in one of the Met's most beloved rituals.

The auditorium seats 3,794 across six levels, with African rosewood paneling and gold leaf accents throughout. The Met's stage is one of the largest in the world, equipped with seven hydraulic lifts and extensive backstage facilities that allow for the rapid scene changes opera productions demand.

What's On at Metropolitan Opera House

The Metropolitan Opera House is home to the Metropolitan Opera's season, which runs from September through June, and also hosts American Ballet Theatre performances and special concerts.

• El Ultimo Sueno de Frida y Diego (Concert)

• Eugene Onegin (Concert)

• Innocence (Concert)

• La Boheme (Concert)

• La Traviata (Concert)

• Tristan und Isolde (Concert)

Browse all concerts in New York on tickadoo.

Seating and Accessibility

Seating spans six levels: Orchestra, Parterre, Grand Tier, Dress Circle, Balcony, and Family Circle. The Orchestra and Parterre offer the closest proximity to the stage. Grand Tier and Dress Circle provide excellent sightlines with a slightly elevated perspective. The Balcony and Family Circle are the most affordable options, with the Family Circle offering the steepest rake. Standing room tickets are available at the rear of the Orchestra and Dress Circle.

The Met is wheelchair accessible with designated seating in the Orchestra section. Assistive listening devices and audio description services are available. The Met Titles system displays real-time translations on individual screens mounted on the seat in front of each patron.