A Night at The Opera...in Jeans?

What assures two of Westchester's multi-plex theatres of sellouts--at least for 12 Saturday Matinees--during the coming season?  No, it's not the next animated Disney movie. And it's definitely not an all-out-total-destruction-of-the-universe-horror thriller starring Angelina Jolie. Believe it or not, it's Opera!

And it's because it's all so grand, yet still so easy.

Specifically, the sell-out craze is screenings of Metropolitan Opera performances in HD in two of Westchester's most popular venues.  The opera performance is taking place on the Met stage at the precise time you can view it locally, wearing jeans, if you want, and saving a good deal of money as well. 

Initiated in 2006, the movie screenings have built a solid following, with theater-goers willing to wait in line for hours to secure tickets. The particular opera screened at the Saturday matinee is repeated on Wednesday night three weeks later, again usually garnering a solid audience.  The matinees have been so successful that they have prompted the movie complexes sometimes to show it in three of their theatres. And they've even repeated some of the operas during the summer.  (This feeds right into the pattern that operas are often seen over and over by true afficianados.)

These "on the spot" performances will flash around the globe in 45 countries, in over 1000 movie venues.  The Met's Peter Gelb's inspiration is an artistic phenomenon that can only spread peace and mutual understanding in our troubled world.

Here  is some feedback from last year's viewers:

The Rainers of Irvington – she, a much-honored photographer; he a retired engineer, who happens to have sung tenor with The Westchester Chorale for years – had no intention of attending any "movie opera" ever.  "We've been immersed in serious music since we were children" Renata Rainer said.  "We were convinced a movie would not fulfill our needs."  But hearing DER ROSENKAVALIER, described as a "smashing experience", they relented and attended the Wednesday night repeat.  "I never imagined it would be so moving, that the closeness to the splendid performers would offer new insights into the complexities of the work.  It is not the last HD movie opera we'll attend!"

Vera Schiller of Tarrytown, told me: "The concept of opera, in a convenient local movie theatre, has enabled me to explore the world of opera with which I have had minimal experience.  So I went to see TOSCA, which happened to be an opera I had seen before, years ago.  I was intrigued by the new staging and enjoyed the performance.  And that was the opera they booed in NY!  I intend to attend more movie operas this season and hope to enjoy those that opera buffs applaud, even more!

Mattie Abler of Scarsdale, a professional painter, has attended Met performances for years. "I find the HD movies add another dimension to my view of the performance. It brings one into intimate contact with the singer.  I find that very exciting.  I have every intention of attending most of the movie operas this next season and I have ordered a portable folding seat in preparation for the long lines to buy the tickets!"

"My husband and I must have attended every important Broadway production for years and years" reports Barbara Block of White Plains. "Somehow we never included opera.  So I am a complete novice when it comes to that.  But the Met's movie operas have absolutely captured me.  They have enhanced my life. After each opera I come away saying: 'this one was the best!  And if that's not enough, they take us backstage to see the workings of the productions and even eavesdrop on interviews with the performers!  It's so up-close and personal."

Helene Winston of Rye Brook, a retired teacher, recalled that her father, an ardent opera buff, never attended actual performances.  "He listened to broadcasts and recordings constantly," she said. "He wanted to picture the performance using his own imagination.  His complaint was that the divas invariable weighed too much and the acting of all cast members most often left much to be desired. Dad would have loved the HD movies that show so much of the improved production techniques, the resplendent sets – and the svelte beauty of the Renee Flemings in the current casts."

Lilly Singer of White Plains, says she will endeavor to catch every movie  opera that is not included in her subscription in the actual opera house.  "I. would never give up my subscription", says  therapist Singer, "but neither do I want to give up my attendance at the HD movies.  These movies lend another dimension to both the visual and the musical experience of the opera, which is almost intimate." 

Grace Speare of Hartsdale is an "old hand" at opera, as she puts it.

"How marvelous now that the HD movies enable us to attend the Met without the drive into Manhattan, without the hassle of cumbersome parking, and with a splendid seat guaranteed – and all at a fraction of the cost!"

Following is the HD live schedule for the 2010-2011 season:

Oct. 9  -- Wagner's  DAS RHEINGOLD

Oct. 23 – Mussorgsky's  BORIS GODUNOV 

Nov. 13 – Donizetti's DON PASQUALE

Dec. 11 – Verdi's DON CARLO

Jan. 8 – Puccini's LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST

Feb. 12  -- Adam's NIXON IN CHINA

Feb.  26 – Gluck's IPHIGENIE EN TAURIDE

March 19 --  Donizetti's LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR

April 9 – Rossini's LE COMTE ORY

APRIL 23 – R.Strauss's CAPRICCIO

April 30 – Verdi's IL TROVATORE

May 14 – Wagner's DIE WALKUERE

Westchester Showings will be at the following venues:

City Center 15 Cinema Deluxe

19 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains

(914) 428-3782

New Roc City 18 Plus Imax

33 LeCount Place in New Rochelle

(914) 235-5106

Tickets are on sale now.  In White Plains you can have reserved seats for $27 or regular seating for $24; seniors & children for $20.

In New Rochelle, regular seating only: $24; $22 for seniors; $18 for children. For any further information try: metopera.org/hdlive or the theaters themselves.