Seating advice for Met Opera - Don Giovanni
Fri, Nov 11 2011, 8:03PM
I am purchasing tickets for Don Giovanni at the Met and need seating advice. The tickets are a gift for somebody who would prioritize acoustics over view. I have looked at the seating chart and called the box office but neither were of much help.
Fri, Nov 11 2011, 11:42PM
#2
RE: Seating advice for Met Opera - Don Giovanni
Taibee, I shall post your request on an opera forum of which I'm a member - the majority are from the USA and very helpful, including a considerable number of MET afficionados. I'll pass on their replies on this forum.
JKH
Wed, Nov 16 2011, 9:07PM
#3
RE: Seating advice for Met Opera - Don Giovanni
Taibee, I posted your query and had the following two replies, which I have edited slightly to save space. Both are from Met regulars and the second from a well-respected and knowledgeable vocal critic and reviewer whose views I generally tend to agree with and who very kindly took the trouble to e-mail me privately
1) I think the only two things that are really important are to stay out
from under an underhang, and away from the extreme ends of the rows
near the walls, wherever you sit......The sound is indeed excellent up in the balcony - it's about the best in terms of blending of voices and orchestra in my view - but it is so far away that the 'perception' is that it's not as good or detailed.
2)As a Met vet, I can tell your friend to avoid the Stalls like the
plague. Even in Row A, the pit's so huge you're STILL miles from the
stage: and further back, you might as well be out in the Plaza. And if
you get into the double lettered rows at the back - AA, BB etc.- you
won't hear the orchestra at all. Easily the best of eleven different
places I sat in back in April this year was the front of the Balcony.
You've got miles of clear acoustic space above your head, a straight
shot at the stage, and excellent sound blend. The net visual effect,
even in a house of 4,000, is little different from sitting in the
front rows of the ROH Amphi. And Florez's voice from there sounded HUGE
I hope these are of some use - and it seems as though the balcony's the place to be.
Fri, Nov 18 2011, 2:48PM
#4
RE: Seating advice for Met Opera - Don Giovanni
JKH,
I am so appreciative of your efforts in gathering some knowledgable responses. I ended up purchasing balcony premium seats - Row A Center. Now I just have to wait until Christmas to give my boyfriend this gift!
Sat, Nov 19 2011, 2:54PM
#5
RE: Seating advice for Met Opera - Don Giovanni
It was my pleasure and no trouble at all. It looks as though you couldn't have chosen better seats.
Unfortunately I'm now rather jealous of your boyfriend, but nonetheless I hope you both have a wonderful time!
I've only ever sat in the fairly cheap seats in the centre of the balcony or family circle which as far as I've read some people consider to have the best acoustics in terms of sound blend and balance. There is no problem hearing the singers up there and you have a long distance cinemascope view of the entire stage which is fine for me. The subtitles, should you want them, are displayed in the seat in front.
Ted