I finally saw an opera at the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. I've seen ballets at this site, but for the first time I sat through a live opera performance here. I'm a lifelong New Yorker but never did this before.

I've grown more interested in opera during the past few years because I watched a few big screen simulcasts of Met Opera performances, at my local high school auditorium. (And wrote about it here.) I'd debated whether to see a recent debut of Fire Shut Up in My Bones but was wary due to lingering pandemic concerns.

I decided to attend the opera "Hamlet", because I'd known one of the singers and wanted to see it before the season's end. I spotted an online offer for $30 tickets and persuaded two friends to join me. Another friend bought a rush orchestra ticket so she sat apart from us.

I'm no stranger to the world-famous Lincoln Center, and have patronized it countless times throughout my life for New York City Ballet performances, various concerts (inside and outdoors), musicals (Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I) and outdoor festivals, even a double Dutch competition. But I'd not seen an opera here, a bit of a gap in my cultural life.

Two friends and I sat in the Family Circle Prime section in the balcony, row B. It was in the corner but I had a good view, ample legroom, and our section was not overly full. I was soon to discover that the acoustics and sound system overall are excellent! And even though the opera was sung in English, it wasn't always easy to understand, so the computerized captions at my seat were helpful.

If you're familiar with the Shakespeare tragedy of Hamlet, then you know what to expect. And the opera version was eerie and brooding, powerful and intriguing. The music was an interesting mix of contemporary orchestral and more standard stylings, and we had a fine view of the orchestra, a plus for our way-up-there seats.

I'd known the singer who portrayed Rosencrantz for a number of years, Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, because he was a High Holidays assistant cantor at my former synagogue. I sang in a choir there and we sometimes shared the stage during services for the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Thus, I was so proud of him, watching him sing his first Met Opera role. 

The woman who sang Ophelia (Brenda Rae) was also exceptional, as was Hamlet himself (Allan Clayton). The cast performed the opera in what appeared to be mid-20th century clothing.

The Opera house itself is glamorous and legendary, with artworks and big chandeliers but I took note that patrons wore the gamut of attire, from tuxedos and long gowns, to t-shirts and shorts. (I wore office casual.)

I enjoyed my maiden voyage at the Met, and will attend again! Toi toi toi, as they say.