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Whether you’re looking to impress or just have a new experience, the opera might just be one of New York’s best kept secrets among the dating crowd. I can see the skeptic look on your face from here, but listen up Casanova, the dinner and a movie format has been beaten to death by every other man before you. Typical dates are tired and what’s worse, they’re forgettable. The opera has been a romantic mainstay for hundreds of years due to its stunning scenery, moving music and timeless stories (not to mention the conveniently dark theatre) and this year, the Metropolitan Opera is making the experience more accessible than ever before.
This year, for the first time in its history, The Met is offering 175 rush tickets in the Orchestra for each Monday through Thursday performance for only $20. Besides being some of the best seats in the house, these tickets are at a steep discount from the normal price of $120 or more. Tickets go on sale at 6pm the day of the performance, but be advised — the recent crowds dictate your presence at 4pm to guarantee you’ll be seeing the show. I’ve been successful in scoring seats as late as 5:30 but your boss will understand that “doctor’s appointment” you made, so why risk it?
If you fail to score the orchestra seats, you can always ask for Family Circle seats which are priced at $15 on the day of the performance and are limited only by the house’s capacity. Sure the Family Circle is in the nosebleed section but since it also offers the best acoustics, you’d be doing your date a disservice to let her sit anywhere else. Or at least that’s what you can explain to her on the long walk up there.
The opera affords you that rare opportunity to dress to the nines in a city that wears jeans to work. We’re sure your tussled hair and “I’m with stupid” T-shirt is adorable, but you’ll be truly Debonair in that black suit and tie. You’ll look fantastic and so will your date. Women love to dress up and giving them a reason to go all out pays off with a sexy black dress, glossy red lipstick and a killer push-up bra — need we say more?
The opera might not be first date material as you are still seeing a show and as such, you’ll spend most of your time watching — not having a conversation with your date. Of course, most operas have two intermissions or more which gives you a chance to get a drink, take a stroll on the Met’s outdoor terrace, or people watch on the grand staircase as you wonder how much longer the poor souls in the Meatpacking district are going to have to wait for that overpriced table.
If you’re new to Opera, the Met offers a redesigned website that will help you pick out a show, read a synopsis and even listen to some of the show before you decide. Some of my favorites include La Traviata, Faust, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and Madame Butterfly. All are sure to leave you with a great first impression of this often-overlooked city treasure (not to mention the impression you’ll leave on your date — who will be so excited to tell her girlfriends about the cultured, sensitive guy she went out with).
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