Mitch Friedfeld wrote:

> Went to my first New York Met broadcast to theaters today --
> Massenet's Thais, with Renee Fleming and Thomas Hampson -- and was
> very pleased.  And would you believe it: the 471-seat arena-style
> theater was sold out...weeks in advance!

Where I live in the boonies the theatre has too few attendees, partly
because the theatre chain appears too cheap to advertise.  If you are
in New York there are several theatres you can try besides the four
in Manhattan.

For a list of U.S. locations, go to:

   http://www.fathomevents.com/images/MET%2008-09%20Live%20Theatres%20Current%20WEB.htm

For non-U.S. locations, go to:

  http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast/hd_events_alternates.aspx

I have seen nearly all the productions during the last year and I wouldn't
trade my seat for almost any of the seats at the Met itself because there
is so much "added value" in the cinema venue.  Not only do you get a
really close-up view--which in many cases is really worth having--but
the backstage interviews with the singers, conductors, designers and
others, several of them done by the lovely Renee Fleming, have been very
satisfying.  Participating venues are specially equipped for HD transmission
and the sound has been excellent.

Jim Tobin

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