Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

Composers

Biography

Active: 1883 - ; New York, NY
Though the first season of the Metropolitan Opera came in 1883-1884, efforts to found the New York-based company began in 1880, led by the Morgan and Vanderbilt families. Its first season was launched with Henry Abbey as company manager and Auguste Vianesi as music director and conductor. Vianesi's tenure was short-lived. The Opera's board appointed its secretary, Edmund Stanton, to contract singers appropriate for German opera, which he ably Read more did. He also engaged Wagner protégé Anton Seidl to become music director and conductor in 1886.

Seidl worked well with the singers, and also helped shape the orchestra into a first-rate ensemble. Irish-American composer Victor Herbert, then one of the finest cellists in Europe, joined the orchestra in 1886. His wife, Therese Herbert-Förster, had been engaged to sing at the Met by Stanton. Solid and talented though the orchestra was in its early days, it was the singers, of course, who drew the attention. Indeed, some were making over $50,000 per year by the late 1890s, where orchestra players earned one-tenth that amount and less. Even in the 1930s orchestra members typically were offered starting salaries of less than $10,000, far less than that of the singers, but substantially more than most orchestras in the United and States and Europe were paying personnel.

In 1908, Toscanini made his debut at the Met. He would serve as music director for seven years, and arguably his tenure resulted in stronger musicianship in the orchestra's ranks, even though he did not always have full control. Indeed, Toscanini shared the podium for two years with Gustav Mahler and for another with Sicilian conductor Francesco Spetrino. The orchestra was then, as it had been throughout its early years, comprised largely of players from Germany. Gradually it would draw on other European nationalities and even employ a fair number of American players.

On December 25, 1931, the Metropolitan Opera began radio broadcasts, which have endured to this day. In this venue, the orchestra's role in performance became more conspicuous, since the audience could obviously not see the action, but only hear the music. Television broadcasts began on March 10, 1940, featuring excerpts from various operas. The next one would not take place until November 29, 1948, with a performance of Verdi's Otello. Television broadcasts have endured up to the current day, with semi-regular appearances on the PBS network.

In the war and postwar eras, the orchestra was led by some of the greatest conductors of the day, like George Szell, a regular from 1942 to 1946, and Fritz Reiner, music director from 1949 to 1953. By this time the orchestra was probably the finest opera house ensemble in the world. At least some of their success could be credited to the dynamic directorship of Rudolph Bing, who held the post from 1950 to 1972. Under his leadership not only did the number of subscribers more than triple, but, by general consensus, artistic standards of the individual singers, chorus, and orchestra rose considerably.

In 1986, James Levine took over as artistic director and has held the post into the new century. He has made a number of successful recordings with the Met organization, which returned to the recording studio after a several-decades long absence. The orchestra has been called upon to perform in a number of new works, including modern ones like Glass' The Voyage (1992) and Harbison's The Great Gatsby (1999), as well as early twentieth century masterpieces like Busoni's Doktor Faust and Prokofiev's The Gambler, both in the 2000-2001 season. Read less
Browse 1-25 of 313 Available Recordings
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  • 1.
    Gounod: Faust / Kaufmann, Poplavskaya, Pape, Nezet-seguin, Metropolitan Opera
    Gounod: Faust / Kaufmann, Poplavskaya, Pape, Nezet-seguin, Metropolitan Opera
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 002021809 Release Date: 03/25/2014   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Charles Gounod
    Performer:  Marina Poplavskaya,  Jonas Kaufmann,  René Pape
    Conductor:  Yannick Nézet-Séguin
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 2.
    Gounod: Faust / Kaufmann, Poplavskaya, Pape, Nezet-seguin, Metropolitan Opera [blu-ray]
    Gounod: Faust / Kaufmann, Poplavskaya, Pape, Nezet-seguin, Metropolitan Opera [blu-ray]
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 002021959 Release Date: 03/25/2014  
    Composer:  Charles Gounod
    Performer:  Jonas Kaufmann,  Marina Poplavskaya,  René Pape
    Conductor:  Yannick Nézet-Séguin
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 3.
    Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin / Netrebko, Beczala, Gergiev, Metropolitan Opera [blu-ray]
    Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin / Netrebko, Beczala, Gergiev, Metropolitan Opera [blu-ray]
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 1994259 Release Date: 03/11/2014  
    Composer:  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer:  Anna Netrebko,  Piotr Beczala,  Mariusz Kwiecien
    Conductor:  Valery Gergiev
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 4.
    Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin / Netrebko, Beczala, Gergiev, Met
    Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin / Netrebko, Beczala, Gergiev, Met
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 1994309 Release Date: 03/04/2014   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer:  Anna Netrebko,  Piotr Beczala,  Mariusz Kwiecien
    Conductor:  Valery Gergiev
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 5.
    Domingo - The Verdi Opera Collection [15-CD Set]
    Domingo - The Verdi Opera Collection [15-CD Set]
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 372279 Release Date: 01/07/2014   Number of Discs: 15
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Leontyne Price,  Bruce Brewer,  Edith Mathis,  Hans Sotin  ... 
    Conductor:  Erich Leinsdorf,  James Levine,  Zubin Mehta
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  John Alldis Choir,  London Symphony Orchestra,  National Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
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  • 6.
    James Levine at Carnegie Hall / Kissin, Met Orchestra
    James Levine at Carnegie Hall / Kissin, Met Orchestra
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001909402 Release Date: 09/30/2013   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Richard Wagner,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Franz Schubert
    Performer:  Evgeni Kissin
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 7.
    Verdi at The Met
    Verdi at The Met
    Label: Sony   Catalog:  721202 Release Date: 09/30/2013   Number of Discs: 20
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Rosa Ponselle,  Friedrich Jagel,  Lawrence Tibbett,  Henriette Wakefield  ... 
    Conductor:  Ettore Panizza,  Erich Leinsdorf,  Thomas Schippers,  Fritz Stiedry  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 8.
    Ades: The Tempest / Keenlyside, Ades, Met Opera
    Ades: The Tempest / Keenlyside, Ades, Met Opera
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001902809 Release Date: 09/17/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Thomas Adčs
    Performer:  Alek Shrader,  Audrey Luna,  Isabel Leonard,  Simon Keenlyside  ... 
    Conductor:  Thomas Adčs
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 9.
    Richard Tucker - The Opera Recital Album Collection
    Richard Tucker - The Opera Recital Album Collection
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 543283 Release Date: 08/06/2013   Number of Discs: 10
    Composer:  Gaetano Donizetti,  Giuseppe Verdi,  Charles Gounod,  Georges Bizet  ... 
    Performer:  Richard Tucker,  Dorothy Kirsten,  Eileen Farrell,  Daniza Ilitsch
    Conductor:  Fausto Cleva,  Nello Santi,  Franz Allers,  Wilfrid Pelletier  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,  Fausto Cleva,  Columbia Symphony Orchestra  ... 
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  • 10.
    Pavarotti Sings Verdi [3-CD Set]
    Pavarotti Sings Verdi [3-CD Set]
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001853602 Release Date: 07/09/2013   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Luciano Pavarotti,  Riccardo Cassinelli,  Leo Nucci,  Anthony Rolfe Johnson  ... 
    Conductor:  Lamberto Gardelli,  Sir Georg Solti,  Richard Bonynge,  Peter Maag  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Philharmonic Orchestra,  Ambrosian Opera Chorus,  Chicago Symphony Orchestra  ... 
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  • 11.
    Donizetti: Lucia Di Lammermoor / Netrebko, Beczala, Armiliato, Metropolitan Opera
    Donizetti: Lucia Di Lammermoor / Netrebko, Beczala, Armiliato, Metropolitan Opera
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001846759 Release Date: 06/18/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer:  Anna Netrebko,  Piotr Beczala,  Mariusz Kwiecien,  Ildar Abdrazakov
    Conductor:  Marco Armiliato
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 12.
    Rossini: La Cenerentola / Garanca, Brownlee, Corbelli, Benini, Metropolitan Opera
    Rossini: La Cenerentola / Garanca, Brownlee, Corbelli, Benini, Metropolitan Opera
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001833059 Release Date: 06/18/2013  
    Composer:  Gioachino Rossini
    Performer:  Lawrence Brownlee,  Simone Alberghini,  Alessandro Corbelli,  Elina Garanca  ... 
    Conductor:  Maurizio Benini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 13.
    Verdi: Rigoletto / Damrau, Beczala, Lucic, Mariotti, Metropolitan Opera [blu-ray]
    Verdi: Rigoletto / Damrau, Beczala, Lucic, Mariotti, Metropolitan Opera [blu-ray]
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001833259 Release Date: 06/11/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Diana Damrau,  Piotr Beczala,  Zeljko Lucic,  Stefan Kocán  ... 
    Conductor:  Michele Mariotti
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 14.
    Verdi: Rigoletto / Damrau, Beczala, Mariotti, Met Opera
    Verdi: Rigoletto / Damrau, Beczala, Mariotti, Met Opera
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001833309 Release Date: 05/28/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Zeljko Lucic,  Piotr Beczala,  Diana Damrau,  Stefan Kocán  ... 
    Conductor:  Michele Mariotti
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 15.
    Wagner at The Met
    Wagner at The Met
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 542717 Release Date: 04/09/2013   Number of Discs: 25
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Karin Branzell,  Lauritz Melchior,  Kirsten Flagstad,  Emanuel List  ... 
    Conductor:  Artur Bodanzky,  George Szell,  Erich Leinsdorf,  Fritz Reiner  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 16.
    Verdi: Ballet Music From Les Vepres Siciliennes, Macbeth, Don Carlos, Otello, Aida / Levine, The MET Orchestra
    Verdi: Ballet Music From Les Vepres Siciliennes, Macbeth, Don Carlos, Otello, Aida / Levine, The MET Orchestra
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 5478102 Release Date: 03/26/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 17.
    Wagner: Das Rheingold / Terfel, Croft, Blythe, Owens, Levine, Metropolitan Opera
    Wagner: Das Rheingold / Terfel, Croft, Blythe, Owens, Levine, Metropolitan Opera
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001754309 Release Date: 03/19/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Eric Owens,  Gerhard Siegel,  Bryn Terfel,  Richard Croft  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 18.
    Wagner: Das Rheingold / Terfel, Croft, Blythe, Owens, Levine, Metropolitan Opera [blu-ray]
    Wagner: Das Rheingold / Terfel, Croft, Blythe, Owens, Levine, Metropolitan Opera [blu-ray]
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001753859 Release Date: 03/19/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Eric Owens,  Gerhard Siegel,  Bryn Terfel,  Richard Croft  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
    Blu-ray Disc: $39.99
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  • 19.
    Wagner: Die Walkure / Westbroek, Kaufmann, Voigt, Levine, Metropolitan Opera
    Wagner: Die Walkure / Westbroek, Kaufmann, Voigt, Levine, Metropolitan Opera
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001754409 Release Date: 03/19/2013   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Stephanie Blythe,  Hans-Peter König,  Richard Croft,  Deborah Voigt  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 20.
    Wagner: Die Walkure / Westbroek, Kaufmann, Voigt, Levine, Metropolitan Opera [blu-ray]
    Wagner: Die Walkure / Westbroek, Kaufmann, Voigt, Levine, Metropolitan Opera [blu-ray]
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001753959 Release Date: 03/19/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Stephanie Blythe,  Hans-Peter König,  Richard Croft,  Deborah Voigt  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
    Blu-ray Disc: $39.99
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  • 21.
    Wagner: Siegfried / Terfel, Morris, Siegel, Voigt, Levine, Luisi
    Wagner: Siegfried / Terfel, Morris, Siegel, Voigt, Levine, Luisi
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001754509 Release Date: 03/19/2013   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Eric Owens,  Hans-Peter König,  Richard Croft,  Patricia Bardon  ... 
    Conductor:  Fabio Luisi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 22.
    Wagner: Siegfried / Terfel, Morris, Siegel, Voigt, Levine, Luisi [blu-ray]
    Wagner: Siegfried / Terfel, Morris, Siegel, Voigt, Levine, Luisi [blu-ray]
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001754059 Release Date: 03/19/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Eric Owens,  Hans-Peter König,  Richard Croft,  Patricia Bardon  ... 
    Conductor:  Fabio Luisi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 23.
    Wagner: Gotterdamerung / Voigt, Morris, Konig, Meier, Luisi, Metropolitan Opera
    Wagner: Gotterdamerung / Voigt, Morris, Konig, Meier, Luisi, Metropolitan Opera
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001754609 Release Date: 03/12/2013   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Eric Owens,  Jay Hunter Morris,  Waltraud Meier,  Deborah Voigt  ... 
    Conductor:  Fabio Luisi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 24.
    Wagner: Gotterdamerung / Voigt, Morris, Konig, Meier, Luisi, Metropolitan Opera [blu-ray]
    Wagner: Gotterdamerung / Voigt, Morris, Konig, Meier, Luisi, Metropolitan Opera [blu-ray]
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001754159 Release Date: 03/12/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Eric Owens,  Jay Hunter Morris,  Waltraud Meier,  Deborah Voigt  ... 
    Conductor:  Fabio Luisi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
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  • 25.
    Verdi: The Complete Works
    Verdi: The Complete Works
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001806202 Release Date: 03/05/2013   Number of Discs: 75
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Maria Guleghina,  Samuel Ramey,  Violeta Urmana,  Sara Fulgoni  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Neville Marriner,  Lamberto Gardelli,  James Levine,  Richard Bonynge  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields,  London Voices,  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $199.49
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