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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
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(Newser) – 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.

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.
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)
In this photo provided by the Metropolitan Opera, Erwin Schrott performs as Don Giovanni and Isabel Leonard as Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni.
In this photo provided by the Metropolitan Opera, Erwin Schrott performs as Don Giovanni and Isabel Leonard as Zerlina in Mozart's "Don Giovanni."   (AP Photo/Metropolitan Opera, Marty Sohl)
Ewa Podles, left, performs as La Cieca with Deborah Voigt in the title role of Ponchielli's La Gioconda, during the final dress rehearsal Sept. 20, 2008.
Ewa Podles, left, performs as La Cieca with Deborah Voigt in the title role of Ponchielli's "La Gioconda," during the final dress rehearsal Sept. 20, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Renee Fleming, as Madeleine, performs in the final scene of Richard Straus's Capriccio during the final dress rehearsal September 19, 2008, at the Metropolitan Opera House.
Renee Fleming, as Madeleine, performs in the final scene of Richard Straus's "Capriccio" during the final dress rehearsal September 19, 2008, at the Metropolitan Opera House.   (AP Photo)
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