brookwood

Vargas is indeed a heck of a tenor.
The singer pereforming in the role of g Hoffman is on stage almost the whole opera and has several great arias to sing.

There is a sextet toward the end of the opera that is enchanting, one of my favorite few minutes in all of opera.

The cast for Hoffman is strong as far as I know.

As said earlier, just don't let that wacky plot get in the way of enjoying the music. It is in places fantastic.

I try to do that with Otello and Don Carlo, but I don't succeed very well.

eliztrav

Hoffman sounds like your best bet, based on what you told us. The music is fun, Vargas is a decent tenor, and I've seen this one; traditional staging, not wacko sets.

While Rodelinda will be a hot ticket because it is unfamiliar, features Renee Fleming, and is a new production, it IS long.

Vespri probably would also be enjoyable; one of Verdi's earlier operas.

If you don't have any, you can buy inexpensive binoculars/opera glasses at the MET. I understand you also can rent them, but I've never done this. The website will tell you.

You can get seats in the Family Circle (great sound) CHEAP! Well under $50. But, don't go there if you have a fear of heights. I like the Balcony, the best value for your money in combining great sound with good viewing. Still need opera glasses to see the details/faces, though.

If you get seats in a box on the side of the theater, those closest to the stage may be partial view seats. Ask. Also, as I'm short, if I get a seat in the side boxes (on any level) I ask to be in the front row.

The only other seats I'm wary of are those way under underhangs from the balconies above. This includes the rear orchestra. These seats have a double whammy of some sound distortion and the overhang cuts off the top of the stage. Not always a problem, but that depends upon the production. I also try to avoid the orchestra seats on the side called "orchestra balance. The view is fine, but the sound has some odd dead spots in places. And, at the prices they charge, I just consider these seats generally a poor value.

The MET in December should be quite festive. Have fun! And, consider a backstage tour of the MET. Even my non-opera loving friends who've gone have been fascinated.

seniormsuedu

Hoffman, by all means. I would hang by my thumbs from the ceiling to see it. Poor Hoffman falls in love with a beautiful toy, a sadistic jezebel, and a mommie's girl with a heart condition. Just like All the World Turns. The music is wonderful and sounds like there will be a good tenor.
As in all good operas, the minor parts are also very juicy.

I would listen to Rodelina segments on a stereo in my garden just letting the beautiful music pour over me.