A Galaxy of Stars at the Metropolitan

Connoisseurs of the art of singing will be dazzled by the collection of great artists gathered in New York in just a few days of unforgettable opera-going. They include sopranos Natalie Dessay, Angela Gheorghiu, Karita Mattila; mezzos Ekaterina Semenchuk and Dolora Zajick; tenors Piotr Beczala, Joseph Calleja, Vladimir Galouzine; baritone Peter Mattei;
bass-baritone James Morris; bass René Pape in four brilliant productions of great operas. Fred Plotkin will lead your discovery of these singers and works, as well as planning five memorable meals in top New York restaurants.

Fred Plotkin, author of Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera, sets the gold standard as a study leader for opera, food, wine and all the pleasures of life. You will join him on your Met opera tour for all performances and for outstanding meals at peerless New York restaurants.

Please do not miss the chance to join Fred for another season of superb opera and camaraderie. Tickets will go fast, so act now!

Single Occupancy: $4,075 per person
Double Occupancy: $3,350 per person

This program requires a deposit of $1,000.00 per person.

March 7-12, 2011

Orchestra Prime seating to the four performances
Lectures by Fred as per the itinerary
Five memorable meals at superb local restaurants, as per itinerary
Five nights accommodation at the Empire Hotel

A Galaxy of Stars at the Metropolitan Itinerary

Day 1, Monday March 7, 2011

Arrival in New York, check into hotel on your own.
At 8pm, welcome dinner and talk with Fred at a major New York restaurant.

Day 2, Tuesday March 8, 2011

Morning at leisure.
At 1pm join Fred for an excellent New York lunch.
From 3:30-4:30 pm Fred will discuss bel canto and Lucia di Lammermoor.
Depart for the Metropolitan Opera House at 8pm.
At 8:30pm attend Donizetti’s masterpiece, Lucia di Lammermoor, starring the sensational Natalie Dessay and the hot young tenor Joseph Calleja, conducted by Patrick Summers, music director of the Houston Grand Opera.

Day 3, Wednesday March 9, 2011

Morning at leisure.
At 12:30-2:30 pm lunch with Fred in a superb New York restaurant.
From 3:00-4:15 pm Fred will lead a discussion of Boris Godunov.
At 6:30 pm depart for the Metropolitan Opera House.
From 7:00-11:20 pm attend a new production of Mussorgsky’s majestic Boris Godunov, conducted by Valery Gergiev and starring the remarkable René Pape in one of opera’s tour-de-force roles.

Day 4, Thursday March 10, 2011

Morning at leisure.
At 12:30 pm, another outstanding lunch with Fred.
From 3:00-4:15 pm Fred will lead a discussion on several operatic topics.
At 7:30 pm depart for the Metropolitan Opera House.
At 8:00 pm attend the Met’s magical production of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, conducted by Plácido Domingo and starring Angela Gheorghiu and Piotr Beczala as Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers and James Morris as Friar Laurence.

Day 5, Friday March 11, 2011

Morning at leisure.
At 12:30-2:30 pm farewell luncheon with Fred.
From 3:00-4:15 pm there will be a discussion of Queen of Spades.
At 7:30 pm, departure for the Metropolitan Opera House.
At 8:00pm attend the season premiere of Tchaikovsky’s riveting Queen of Spades with an all-star cast including Karita Mattila, Dolora Zajick, Vladimir Galouzine and Peter Mattei in one of the very best productions in the Met’s repertory. Andris Nelsons conducts the amazing score of this unforgettable drama.
Join Fred for a farewell toast at midnight to a week of superb opera.