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
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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