Going to New York in March and I am planning to attend the Met for the first time (with my 15-year-old). I am feeling slightly dizzy from looking at seating charts and prices(!). Can anyone here offer advice?
I can afford Balcony front, which should have great sound and a full panoramic view, but is kind of far from the stage. There are a few available in the center are near the front, even on the aisle (I have long legs). The Balcony boxes are listed as "partial view". The next layer down, the "Dress Circle", is more expensive, and I don't think I can spring for good seats at that level, and there aren't many available anyway. But Dress Circle boxes are the same price as Balcony front, and are not listed as partial view, and there are still some available. I'm thinking closer to the stage (good for my old eyes) and should have good sound, maybe hard to see parts of the stage?
Any thoughts?
I can afford Balcony front, which should have great sound and a full panoramic view, but is kind of far from the stage. There are a few available in the center are near the front, even on the aisle (I have long legs). The Balcony boxes are listed as "partial view". The next layer down, the "Dress Circle", is more expensive, and I don't think I can spring for good seats at that level, and there aren't many available anyway. But Dress Circle boxes are the same price as Balcony front, and are not listed as partial view, and there are still some available. I'm thinking closer to the stage (good for my old eyes) and should have good sound, maybe hard to see parts of the stage?
Any thoughts?
My suggestion would be to get/borrow a couple pairs of opera glasses and buy something fairly centered. Or at the front of any of the balconies.
I've had wonderful times in the nosebleed seats with a good (appropriate for the job) set of opera glasses. (About 5X is perfect)
Or, just open up the wallet, make it hurt once, as you pay, and buy something close. When will you have the chance to do it again?
I've had wonderful times in the nosebleed seats with a good (appropriate for the job) set of opera glasses. (About 5X is perfect)
Or, just open up the wallet, make it hurt once, as you pay, and buy something close. When will you have the chance to do it again?
That is the question isn't it? The online consensus, plus advice from a friend who has attended a few times, is that even the best side boxes have a limited view, and the balcony seats are very good.
It is somewhat complicated by the Met naming conventions. Above the Orchestra is the Parterre, then the Grand Tier, Dress Circle, Balcony, and Family Circle. I was considering both a Dress Circle box and front-row Balcony. Finally pulled the trigger on the latter.
Greetings from London. If the Met is anything like Covent Garden, go for the front of the balcony. They are the seats I always recommend to friends.
If you can borrow some low power opera glasses (X3 or thereabouts) all the better. Boxes here are not good. Poor sound, and poor sight lines.
If you can borrow some low power opera glasses (X3 or thereabouts) all the better. Boxes here are not good. Poor sound, and poor sight lines.
We had a box at Royal Albert for Verdi Requiem a few years back -- I was impressed when my brother-in-law brought 2 bottles of Pol Roger for us to consume. Dies irae, dies illa etc., etc. Crowd got awfully talky for a requiem as many were toasted by the time it was done.
Met Opera won't let you do this, and the drinks are frightfully expensive.
There are a couple of sweet spots in the Met Opera house, one is the last row center of the grand parterre.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.