The Metropolitan Opera Kicks Off The New Season with Soggy Wagner

Last night, The Metropolitan Opera officially opened their 2010-2011 season with a glitzy opening night gala attended by celebrities who were up to the challenge of sitting through Richard Wagner's 2.5 hour Das Rheingold. Despite the rain (HA! Even Wagner makes God cry), local crowds flocked to the free simulcast in Lincoln Center's plaza.  

Das Rheingold was given a hightech spin by director Robert Lepage (that behaved naughtily -- must have been opening night jitters!) whose new production replaced Otto Schenk's classic. Bryn Terfel sang his Met Opera Wotan role premiere, joined by Stephanie Blythe's Fricka and Eric Owens' Alberich under James Levine's lush conducting.

Celeb power was a'plenty, but they all bowed down to flawless goddess Miranda Richardson. Other VIPs in attendance were Patricia Clarkson, Patrick Stewart, Rufus Wainwright, Angelica Houston, Meg Ryan, Vera Farmiga, and Holly Hunter.

Above: HBIC Miranda Richardson

Above: Patricia Clarkson

 

Above: Patrick Stewart

Click the link for sooo many more! 

Above: Rufus Wainwright with his Marc Jacobs clone boyfriend (well, Marc Jacobs circa 1990 before his fabulous transformation)

Above: Meg Ryan

Above: Pregnant Vera Farmiga (omg indoctrinating unborn spawn to Wagner should be illegal!)

Above: Queen of cool, Angelica Houston

Above: Holly Hunter

 

Comments

[Alejandro]

I love Rufus Wainwright's boyfriend and I'd like one just like it, please.

[Jeffrey Sarver]

This is why I love Anjelica Huston... NO FACELIFT! Brava!!!
Not the case with Ms. Hunter I note. And Ms Ryan looks a little, um, exotic. Wonderful Miranda needs to lighten up on the lipstick, its all over her teeth. Bad dresses all around, except for Huston who has chosen to look her age, and she will always be beautiful.
I'm not surprised to see Vera Farmiga there. She's a terrific classic pianist. See Orphan, if you dare.

[Dakota]

I know it was raining in New York last night so it must have kept away a lot of celebrities. There's an absence of the usual suspects.

[Rogier]

Why so glum, Rufus? Meg Ryan toned down on the lip fillers! It's about time!

[alocksley]

Did anyone listen to the simulcast? I swear either the prompter or someone on stage (Alberich?) was coughing every few seconds!?

[Oroveso]

I'd pay good money to see Anjelica Huston act either Fricka or Erda.

[Lou]

I thought Holly Hunter looked good. She's, obviously, a serious exerciser. Ms. Richardson could, perhaps, have toned down the black eyeliner. I'm not a big fan of heavy eyeliner on older women. It's aging. She could darken her brows a bit, too. Ms. Ryan actually is looking better. The last time I saw a close-up photo of her, she'd had so much botox she was absolutely frightening! And, it's SIR Patrick Stewart.