The Metropolitan Opera House opens at Lincoln Center in New York City to the world premiere of Samuel Barber’s opera, Antony and Cleopatra.

On the historic day of September 16, 1966, an event of profound cultural significance took place – the inauguration of the Metropolitan Opera House at the Lincoln Center in New York City. This grand opening was marked by the world premiere of Samuel Barber’s opera “Antony and Cleopatra.”

The Metropolitan Opera House, housed within the bustling hub of cultural activity at Lincoln Center, solidified its position as a beacon of operatic excellence with its opening. It replaced the old Met, which had served the city for 84 years, thus marking a new era of opera, filled with an ethos of innovation and excellence. The unveiling of the new Metropolitan Opera House reinforced New York City’s position as a globe-trotting cultural destination, signifying American artistic prowess and vibrancy. The architectural marvel, designed by Wallace Harrison, represented a modern, daring change in the landscape of performing arts infrastructure with its sweeping designs and state-of-the-art stage technology.

Known for its grandeur, the new Met was greeted with anticipation and high expectations. Adorned with a stunning Chagall mural and five trendy, individually designed stage curtains, the Metropolitan Opera House was an epitome of artistic aesthetics. Every stone and every ornament affirmed the essence of luxury married to art, catering to the refined tastes of opera enthusiasts.

The unforgettable debut night was headlined by the world premiere of Samuel Barber’s “Antony and Cleopatra,” based on the famous tragedy by William Shakespeare. Barber, an eminent American composer, was commissioned to develop this opera for the grand opening. His work was a testament to the metamorphic power of music and embodied the spirit of exploration and dynamism that the new Met envisioned embracing.

Barber’s “Antony and Cleopatra” captivated the audience and critics alike, etching its place in historical records. The opera symbolized the perfect blend of strong characterization, beautiful vocal lines, and dramatic narrative. Its premier marked the inception of a new phase in opera, wherein traditional opera was fused with innovative nuances to create fresh expressions.

Leontyne Price and Justino Diaz, the lead artists of ‘Antony and Cleopatra,’ delivered stellar performances in the titular roles, their voices reverberating against the opulent backdrop of the Metropolitan Opera House. Their vivid portrayals breathed life into Barber’s ambitious project and elevated the work’s emotional crux.

The performance was directed by Franco Zeffirelli, an Italian director known for his operatic extravaganzas. Zeffirelli ensured the complex love story between the Egyptian Queen and the Roman General was brought to life with all its intensity and grandeur. His depiction of the historical love saga mirrored the tale of triumph and tragedy of the opera itself.

In the wake of this opening, the Metropolitan Opera House has hosted myriad performances, becoming a symbol of prestige and artistic enrichment. Countless luminaries have graced its stage, further solidifying its reputation as a cultural hotbed. However, the memory of that September night in 1966 continues to live on, resonating with the premier of “Antony and Cleopatra,” an event further illuminating the cultural universality of opera.

The opening of the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center is an event marked in golden letters in the annals of American cultural history. It is the epitome of the enduring love for opera, represented by the fusion of modern architectural marvel and the timeless allure of operatic performances. This story reinforces the promise of opera as not just a musical form but a symbol of cultural evolution, resilience, and artistic vision.