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The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center was designed by architect Wallace K. Harrison. The "New Met" opened on September 16, 1966, with the world premiere of Samuel Barber's Antony and Cleopatra. The building is clad in white travertine and the east facade is graced with five similar arches. On display in the lobby are two murals created for the space by Marc Chagall. The Opera House holds nearly 4,000 people on several levels. The gold Proscenium is 54' wide and 54' high. The main curtain is custom-woven gold damask and is the largest tab curtain in the world. The stage of the Metropolitan Opera House is highly mechanized. There are 7 full stage elevators, (60' wide, with double decks). There are 3 slipstages: the upstage one also contains a 60' diameter revolve (turntable). There are 103 motorized battens (linesets) for overhead lifting. There are two 100' tall fully-enveloping cycloramas. All of this stage equipment is needed because the Metropolitan performs opera in repertory, that is, alternating productions on a nightly basis. The scenery at the Metropolitan Opera is extraordinarily large and detailed.
The Met (as it is also called) is also known worldwide for its live radioFor other uses see: radio (disambiguation Radio is a technology that allows the transmission of signals by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of light. Radio waves Radio waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation, and are broadcasts. The first broadcast was on December 25December 25 is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 6 days remaining. It is the 300th day counting from March 1, every year. Events 800 Coronation of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor, in Rome. 1024 Boleslaw I Ch, 19311931 is the common year starting on Thursday. see link for calendar) Events January January 4 Female aviator Elly Beinhorn begins her flight to Africa January 6 Thomas Edison submits his last patent application. January 22 Sir Isaac Isaacs sworn in as the, a production of Englebert Humperdinck 's Hansel und GretelHansel und Gretel is an opera by Engelbert Humperdinck (Humperdinck himself described it as a fairy opera''. The libretto was written by Adelheit Wette (Humperdinck's sister), based on Grimm's Hansel and Gretel''. It was first performed in Weimar on Decem. The famous Saturday afternoon broadcasts sponsored by TexacoTexaco was the name of an American oil company that was merged into ChevronTexaco in 2001. It began as the Texas Fuel Company, founded in 1901 in Beaumont, Texas by Joseph S. Cullinan and Arnold Schlaet upon discovery of oil at Spindletop. For many years, began on December 7December 7 is the 341st day (342nd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 24 days remaining. Events History 1732 The Royal Opera House opens at Covent Garden, London. 1787 Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the United Stat, 1940Events January-February January 5 FM radio is demonstrated to the FCC for the first time. January 6 World War II: Mass execution of Poles, committed by Germans in the Poznan, Warthegau. January 12 World War II: Russia bombs cities in Finland. February 2 F with Mozart and Lorenzo da Ponte's Le nozze di Figaro. After its merger with Chevron, the combined company, ChevronTexaco ended its sponsorship in April 2004 but the Met has found financing to continue them at least through 2005. In the seven decades of broadcasting, only three announcers have been heard. Milton Cross served from the inaugural broadcast until his death in 1975. He was suceeded by Peter Allen , who retired at the end of the 2003- 2004 season. Twice during Cross and Allen's tenures Lloyd Moss substituted. The new announcer for the 2004- 2005 season will be Margaret Juntwait.