Every year, Met in the Park offers New Yorkers and visitors alike the opportunity to experience a free, live opera performance in New York City's parks. While this offers an opportunity for the uninitiated to get a taste of opera, more importantly it's an opportunity to gather with friends and enjoy drinks, snacks and conversation with an operatic background. The closer you sit to the bandshell, the more seriously the audience takes the performance, so gauge your positioning appropriately.
Performances begin at 8 p.m., so if you want seating close to the bandshell, plan to arrive about 2 hours early -- if you're less particular, and depending on the size of your group, you can arrive up until the show begins. Pick up a Playbill (distributed free at entrances) so you can follow along with the story.
Things to Bring:
- Food and drink (alcohol is generally tolerated, but there are police around, so keep it low-key)
- Candles (it gets dark as the night goes on and it can be difficult to see your companions)
- Jacket or Sweater (after the sun sets, the temperature can drop and you'll be happy to have it)
- Bug spray to keep mosquitos away (citronella candles can also do double duty)
- Balloons are a good way to help you find your friends (cell phones work too) [Please dispose of your balloons in the trash -- releasing them into the air is littering and can be harmful to wildlife.]
- Blankets to sit on (a plastic garbage bag makes a great liner between your blanket/beach towel and the moist ground)
