Met Lifts Curtain on Opera You Don't Have to Dress Up for

Icon will stream shows, broadcasts online
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 15, 2008 10:31 AM CDT
Met Lifts Curtain on Opera You Don't Have to Dress Up for
In this photo provided by the Metropolitan Opera, Piotr Beczala performs as Edgardo opposite Diana Damrau performing in the title role of Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor."   (AP Photo)

New York's Metropolitan Opera will soon be offering a new viewing experience: online streaming of performances dating back to 1937. Next week, on the 125th anniversary of its first show, the Met will unveil its online, on-demand service, reports the New York Times. If you can get past the glitches, you'll find modern video and vintage audio recordings.

Met Player will start with 13 high-definition videos and 37 other videos, as well as 120 audio broadcasts from the past eight decades. An early test of the system showed some hiccups in streaming and a poor search system, but Met officials say a newer version won't have those problems. Single operas will cost $3.99 or $4.99; unlimited monthly subscriptions are $14.99; yearly service, $149.99. (More opera stories.)

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