When the pandemic hit and the performing arts industry was silenced, the intrepid Dancers of the Met worked tirelessly to safely bring live art to a culture-starved world.
All in What are we up to
When Words Fail, Music Speaks
The life of a Met Chorister is full of “top ten” (or twenty, or thirty) performances for all time, but nothing could prepare us for the emotional experience of performing Verdi’s Requiem inside the Metropolitan Opera House for the first time in over a year and a half…
The Met Chorus Committee Tackles CBAs and College
Read all about the Met Chorus Negotiating Committee members juggling collective bargaining agreements and term papers at the same time, and learn about our union’s incredible Free College program!
Creating Community in Isolation
Hear what Met choristers have been doing, both remotely and in-person (masked and physically-distanced, of course) to keep the love of opera alive and to create a feeling of community in an increasingly isolated world.
Met Artists Newsletter Editorial: Why Another Fundraiser?
When the Metropolitan Opera closed its doors on March 12, 2020, the plan was to come back in two weeks, after the smoke had cleared, so to speak. It’s safe to say that no one could have imagined the scope and destructive power the COVID-19 pandemic would have on the lives of Met AGMA artists.
Ned Hanlon: Why Solidarity Is Important
In an interview with Timothy Bostick of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Ned Hanlon gives us a clear and detailed picture of what it's like to be an out-of-work Met chorister during the pandemic, and what the future holds for performing artists.
Choristers Without A Chorus: How The Pandemic Has Changed Our Lives
What happens when artists can’t make art together? Met Chorister Brandon Mayberry interviewed many of his colleagues to get a sense of how the chorus was faring during the extended closure of the Metropolitan Opera due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and wonders what the future may hold for all of us.
Alumni Corner: The Importance Of Staying Connected
Carolyn Sielski was a member of the Met Chorus for 21 years, but that didn't stop her from staying connected to her beloved former colleagues after she retired.
Statement On The Met Season Cancellation
The Met Opera Chorus is deeply saddened by the news of the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-2020 Metropolitan Opera season. You can read our statement here.
La Damnation de Faust: A Chorister's Synopsis
Hector Berlioz called La Damnation de Faust a "dramatic legend,”", not an opera or an oratorio. However you define it, the piece is a tour-de-force for the chorus. Tenor Daniel Clark Smith gives us an idea of how we express the text and story line without sets or costumes.
The Metropolitan Opera is Proud to be Part of Pride
This June, New York City hosted the World Pride celebration, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in the West Village. And, for the first time, over 100 employees representing the Metropolitan Opera fashioned a gold-gilded float and marched in the Pride Parade in support of equality, inclusivity, and love. It was a truly unforgettable experience!
A Chorister's Perspective: Porgy & Bess At The Met.
Soprano Jamet Pittman makes her Met chorus debut in Porgy and Bess this year, along with dozens of her talented colleagues. She gives us a small taste of what everyone was thinking during their first week on the job. (Spoiler alert: everyone was pretty excited about being here. I mean, can you blame them? We’re excited about it, too!)
What Does A Chorister Do When The Met Is On Break?
So what does a Met Opera Chorister do when the Met isn’t in season? Let’s take a look at how three choristers spent their summers away from New York.
Byeeeeee, 2018-2019 Season!
Well, we all blinked, and another incredible season somehow passed us by. But what a season it was!
Outreach Corner: The Met Chorus Artists Head Upstate!
Most opera fans vividly remember their first encounter with opera. It’s not something one easily forgets. So you can imagine how excited the Met Chorus Artists were to introduce a sold-out audience of kids and adults to the inspiring, electrifying world of opera!
Put On Your Sunday Best: Met Choristers With Church Jobs
Being a full-time member of the Met Chorus is exactly how it sounds: a FULL TIME job. So it may surprise you that, after singing Monday through Saturday, many members of the Met Chorus wake up early on Sundays to sing again!
Preseason Has Arrived!
The Metropolitan Opera Chorus is back in action after a rejuvinating summer break. We’re ready for 8 weeks of music, memorization, and maybe just a touch of mayhem. (Not surprising since we have 23 shows to learn this season!)
Get excited: the 2018-2019 Met Opera season is right around the corner!
All of us at the Metropolitan Opera may be dreaming of our future vacations, daytime naps, sandy beaches, and maybe a frosty tropical beverage or two, but you can bet our eyes are already set on the operatic gems we'll be presenting next season! If you're trying to figure out what shows to include in your subscription package, then click here to see what members of the Met Chorus are looking forward to performing!
What Are We Up To? - The April Edition
Do April showers bring May flowers? We sure hope so! We can certainly promise that April will bring some beautiful productions of operas that are sure to please. Read on!
What Are We Up To? - The March Edition
March is shaping up to be a busy month of exciting shows! You want drama? How about death by poisoning? What about circus performers?? There's something for everyone!