The Metropolitan Opera: The Stars Align in Four Masterpieces
Opera insiders know that, on rare occasions, all the stars align in one corner
of the operatic firmament and audiences drop everything in their lives to be a part of it. Such will be the case during a Met opera tour to
the Metropolitan Opera for one long weekend when a handful of the greatest sopranos (Renée Fleming,
Patricia Racette, Deborah Voigt) and tenors (Johan Botha, Anthony Dean Griffey, Ben Heppner)
will sing in four of the greatest masterpieces of the opera repertoire: Peter Grimes (Benjamin Britten);
Otello (Giuseppe Verdi) and Tristan und Isolde(Richard Wagner). In addition, The New York City Opera will open
its spring season with the brilliant Mark Morris production of Henry Purcell's theatrical masterpiece, King Arthur, which the London Times
called "a witty, whimsical, mesmerizing and meltingly beautiful entertainment." Morris's staging of Orfeo ed Euridice at the Met last
May garnered universal acclaim.
 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, wind and all the pleasures of life. You will join him on your Met opera tour for all performances and for four outstanding meals at peerless New York
restaurants.
The table is set. The starts are aligning. We have secured a small amount of tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime operatic experience, so act now!
The Metropolitan Opera: The Stars Align in Four Masterpieces
New York City
Itinerary
Day One - Friday, March 7
- Arrive during the morning or early afternoon and check into a centrally located luxurious hotel.
- 5:00 pm: Walk to your Welcome Dinner at Tony May's San Domenico Restaurant.
Named by Food and Wine Magazine as one of the top 25 restaurants in the USA,
San Domenico has set the standard for luxury Italian dining. Now under the helm of Tony's
daughter Marisa, you will enjoy an outstanding meal by their young, innovative chef, Odette Fada,
using only the best and freshest ingredients available.
- 7:15 pm: Walk to the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center.
- 8:00 pm: Britten's stunning Peter Grimes starring Patricia Racette and Anthony Dean Griffey,
conducted by Donald Runnicles and directed by John Doyle.
- 11:00 pm: Return to the hotel.
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Day Two - Saturday, March 8
- Breakfast on your own.
- 11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Overview of today's operas from Fred.
- Afternoon free to explore New York, perhaps attend a theater matinee or go to a museum.
- 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Dinner tonight will be at an excellent local restaurant.
- 8:00 pm: Walk to the Metropolitan Opera House.
- 8:30 pm: Verdi's Otello, with Renée Fleming and Johan Botha, conducted by Semyon Bychkov.
- 11:30 pm: Return to the hotel.
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Day Three - Sunday, March 9
- Breakfast on your own.
- 10:30 am - 12:00 pm: Discussion of King Arthur and Otello with Fred.
- 12:45 pm: Go to the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center.
- Attend Purcell's King Arthur in a new production by Mark Morris, conducted by Jane Glover.
- 7:00 pm: Dinner at one of New York's top restaurants.
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Day Four - Monday, March 10
- Breakfast on your own.
- 11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Fred will lead a discussion of Tristan und Isolde.
- 1:15 pm: Walk to an excellent local restaurant.
- 1:30 - 3:30 pm: Farewell luncheon.
- 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm: Rest, pack or other activities.
- 6:00 pm: Transfer to the Metropolitan Opera House.
- 7:00 pm - 11:55 pm: Season premiere of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde
with Ben Heppner and Deborah Voigt's first Met Isolde. James Levine conducts.
- 12:00 am: Return to hotel for drinks and discussion with Fred for the conclusion of your Met opera tour.
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Day Five - Tuesday, March 11
- Departure, with heads and hearts filled with music and memories.
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US $3195 per person based on double occupancy in a standard room with one large bed
US $3270 per person based on double occupancy in a superior room with one large bed or two double beds
US $700 Single supplement
US $1200 for non-opera companion in standard room (includes accommodations in double occupancy and meals listed in itinerary)
US $1275 for non-opera companion in superior room (includes accommodations in double occupancy and meals listed in itinerary)
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2008 Tour Dates
New York City: March 7 - 11, 2008
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Included in the program:
- Four nights accommodation at a four star hotel (All rooms have plasma screen TV, WiFi Internet connection, Frette linens, bathrobes, rainshowers)
- Orchestra Prime tickets to three outstanding opera performances at the Metropolitan Opera and one performance at the New York City Opera
- Fascinating lectures and discussions with Fred Plotkin about the operas you will attend
- Four excellent meals (one lunch; three dinners) with wine at some of the finest restaurants in New York;
menus selected by Fred Plotkin
- All taxes and service charges, hotel porterage (one bag per person) and restaurant gratuities.
Among the restaurants that might be featured in Fred Plotkin's New York opera tours are: Abboccato,
Alto, Aureole, Beacon, Cafe des Artistes, Cafe Fiorello, Cafe Luxembourg,
Compass, Le Cirque, the Modern, Molyvos, Oceana, Picholine, Porter House,
San Domenico, and Town. We continue to seek out the chefs and tables
that will offer a dining experience during your stay that only New York can offer. Restaurant choices subject to change, but will be
of same quality.
Casting and program always subject to change.
Pre and post nights on request at special rates, but must be booked in advance and subject to availability.
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Cooking Vacations 
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