cheap met opera tickets?
 

Last time I went to the Met opera, I notice people in line to purchase tickets at the door on the day of the performance, are these dicounted tickets? Anyone know how much the tickets are discounted on the day of the performance? Are there other ways of buying discounted tickets?

More than likely people were picking up tickets that had been ordered in advance or buying for future performances. It's been a long time since I did it, but I think standing room tickets are sold the same day. Don't know the price. Having spent a fortune to sit in the Grand Tier yesterday.... I'd be first in line if I ever heard of discounts -:)

Don't think discounts are an option. Most seats are sold for the season or for specific sets of performances. People standing in line are either picking up tickets or looking to buy standing room.

Standing room tickets are sold at 10am the day of.
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metope....aspx#discount

There are also rush tickets which are sold 2 hours prior to performance. 200 tickets (orchestra) for $20 each. Mon thru Thurs only.
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/varis/

The balcony is your friend.

The opera is hurting big time this year. http://www.broadwaybox.com/shows/the...c_tickets.aspx

mclaurie, that discount only gives a free drink coupon for the performance. The ticket prices are still the same.

Through October 23, the Met is offering BOGO (buy one, get one free) to the following performances of <i>Le Damnation de Faust</i>: October 23, 26, 30, November 5, 9, 14 matinee, 17. The offer is available to Subscribers, Patrons and Members. Here's the offer: http://tinyurl.com/ygqpzcm

We're Met subscribers; I'd be happy to offer a hand. If you're interested, e-mail me privately: [email protected]

I'll be in NY early Nov. and checked the Metropolitan Opera site for ticket info. Considering the fact that most of the tix cost in the $100s, it doesn't surprise me in the least that the Met isn't doing that well. The best seat in the house would just about pay for airfare to Europe. Crazy!

I'm not sure if I agree with you, Rebecka. I've been to the Met many, many times, and never paid $100 or more for a ticket. Sure, you can spend as much as you want, but there are plenty of seats in Balcony and Family Circle for much less than $100 for weekday performances. Weekend productions are more expensive.

For weekday performances, FC starts at $20 and Balcony starts at $65. Even Premium Balcony is $85 only.

Considering the # of people involved in an opera production (just musicians and singers/chorus alone are at least 150+ people; not counting backstage workers), and considering the Met is the best opera company in the US, I think the prices the Met charge are very reasonable. Just think how much a Broadway show or a pop music star concert costs.

yk, I realize that the Met's costs are enormous, but I based my comment on seeing ticket prices listed as $160 and up for all but the two cheapest seats back in the balcony section. Best seats in the house were $520 for a performance! I was trying to find the link again, but no luck. You'll just have to take my word for it that I'm not making it up. Maybe that information was just incorrect?

Guess I'll have to invest in a good pair of opera glasses! Thinking of seeing Damnation of Faust as I see that Aida has sold out.

I don't know which performance you looked at, but the top ticket price for the Met's operas is $375. Are those prices you listed for 2 tickets?

Sure, good seats in Orchestra and Grand Tier sections go for $200+ each. If you're visiting NYC and have some spare time, you can go for the Varis Rush tickets I posted earlier. $20 for orchestra seats; M-Th only.
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/varis/

Out of curiosity, I looked up top price tickets for Lion King on Broadway. They are $130; and cheapest tickets for Lion King are $68.50. At least for the Met, you have cheaper choices than $68.50.

And just for kicks, I looked up Miley Cyrus's show in Boston in Nov. Tickets are $80+ for that! Give me Aida any day.

Not to be contrary, yk, but I knew that I had seen Met prices much higher than $375 somewhere and here the Saturday prices are even worse (Yes, prices are per ticket):

http://buyandsavetickets.com/Results...866&event=Aida

Wonder just what they mean by "buy and save" here???

A Friday night performance of Aida lists tickets anywhere from $38 to $480 so I guess it pays to shop around.

Rebecka - These tickets are through a ticket broker so they'll obviously be more expensive than if you buy them directly from the source.

Did you see those prices from Met's own website, or a 3rd party ticket re-seller like the one you linked?

Met's own website for Oct 24th Aida:
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metope...px?perf=10433#

Top price tickets are at Center Parterre Premium for $375 each. It's sold out. However, there are still seats for Orchestra Premium ($295) and Orchestra Prime ($220).

That 3rd party website is selling seats in the same Orchestra section for >2x the ticket face value.

FWIW, I would NEVER buy Met opera tickets from a third party site, unless it's a completely sold-out performance and I'm willing to pay 2-3x face value for a ticket.

Yes, I have seen the prices on the Met site more than once, yk, and have no intention of buying from a broker. (Not even sure who would.) Just wanted to show that I wasn't making the figures up, okay?

The only performances at the Met that I've seen tickets higher than $375, are the Gala performances, such as the Tosca opening night Gala, as well as upcoming:

Carmen New Year's eve Gala (top ticket $550)
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metope...spx?perf=10387

and

Tales of Hoffman New Production Gala (top ticket $550)
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metope...spx?perf=10636

We will be in NYC for a few day this September and I wanted to see Eugene Onegin - it is my favorite opera. Unfortunately the only performance that will be shown during our visit is the opening night gala. Is it possible to buy tickets for the performance only on such events? Do we still have to confirm to black tie requirements if we attempts performance only?

You would be wise to start a new thread for your topic, rather than tacking on to a four year old thread which isn't exactly what you want to know

As I understand it, they do sell tickets to the performance alone. They knock off $1,000 or so as you're missing the cocktails and dinner. The performance tickets themselves are usually in the six, seven or even eight hundred range.

Black tie is not optional.

The purpose of the gala is that it is one - and to raise money - prices and attire will match.

nytravler, so your point is that people who will only be in New York on the day of a gala of a specific opera and really want to see that opera, should just forget about it and not ask if it's possible to see it without attending the gala? If not, what exactly IS your point?

>>>>>>>>>

One thing that's funny about bringing this old thread up, is it shows how incredibly dramatic the prices have risen in the past 4 years!

Not entirely sure that lower priced tickets will be unavailable. We'll know Monday.

The opening night gala tickets are slightly more expensive, but you can buy them just like any other Met opera performances. No need to dress up unless you're paying the $$$$$ for a seat at the dinner!

Are you sure yk? I think it's black tie if you are in the orchestra, grand tier or other high-priced seats.

Just got this from the Met in my e-mail. You might try calling or their web site tomorrow
I have a friend who sits in the Balcony inexpensively. But probably for opening nite those
seats will be more expensive too.

http://www.metoperafamily.org/metope...spx?perf=12473

THIS from that link above:

"What is the dress code?

There is no dress code at the Met. People tend to dress more formally for Galas or openings of new productions, but this is optional. We recommend comfortable clothing appropriate for a professional setting."

http://www.metoperafamily.org/metope...spx?perf=12473

Okay, prices are up. Better act soon, not too many bargains available.