Concert opera strips away the church and the parapet and leaves Puccini's orchestra doing all the scene-painting, so the Te Deum bells and the shattering brass of Act II land with nothing in front of them. Dudamel took over the Philharmonic this season, and this is the kind of statement programming a new music director uses to plant a flag. If you have only heard opera from a house seat, Carnegie's acoustic is a revelation.
What to expect
Three performances of the complete opera with the orchestra on stage and the principals downstage of it. There is no scenery and no stage action to carry the story, so a quick read of the plot beforehand pays off. Expect a long evening with two intermissions and a full-throated Carnegie audience on its feet at the end.
Good to know
- Carnegie Hall sits at 57th and Seventh; the N/Q/R/W to 57th St or the B/D/E to Seventh Ave both land within a block.
- The opera runs long by concert standards, so plan for a late finish.
- Business casual is the norm; nobody will look twice at a jacket or at jeans.
- Carnegie Hall sells discounted student and under-30 tickets through its own programs.
- Balcony seats are the acoustic bargain in this hall, particularly for voices.
- Wheelchair-accessible seating and assistive listening devices are available through the box office.
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Common questions
Is this a staged production?
No. It is a concert performance, with the orchestra on stage and the singers performing without sets or costumes.
Why is the Philharmonic playing at Carnegie Hall?
Carnegie was the orchestra's home for decades before it moved to Lincoln Center, and it still returns for occasional special programs.
Do I need to know the story?
It helps. Reading a plot summary of the three acts beforehand makes the concert format much easier to follow.
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