Metropolitan Opera: Lincoln In The Bardo
Loading interactive seating chart...
Preparing seating chart...
Lincoln In The Bardo brings George Saunders' Pulitzer Prize-winning novel to operatic life at the Metropolitan Opera. This haunting work explores President Abraham Lincoln's profound grief following the death of his son Willie in 1862, set in a liminal space between life and death populated by restless spirits in Georgetown's Oak Hill Cemetery. Composer Matthew Aucoin and librettist Saunders have crafted an ambitious contemporary opera that weaves together Lincoln's historical anguish with a chorus of ghostly voices, creating a meditation on loss, love, and the weight of leadership during America's darkest hour.
Expect an emotionally powerful and musically adventurous evening that pushes the boundaries of traditional opera. Aucoin's score blends orchestral richness with innovative vocal writing, while the staging brings Saunders' supernatural narrative to vivid theatrical life. The opera requires no prior knowledge of the novel, though familiarity with Civil War history enhances the experience. This is contemporary opera at its most ambitious—perfect for adventurous operagoers and newcomers alike who appreciate bold artistic storytelling.
The Metropolitan Opera House provides the ideal grandeur for this epic work, with its legendary acoustics and world-class orchestra bringing Aucoin's complex score to full realization. Lincoln Center's iconic venue, home to over a century of operatic tradition, offers an appropriately majestic setting for this story of presidential grief and national trauma. The Met's technical capabilities allow for the sophisticated staging required to bring the bardo's otherworldly atmosphere to life.
Browse available performance dates on CultureTicks to experience this remarkable fusion of literature and music at one of the world's premier opera houses.
The Metropolitan Opera House stands as the crown jewel of Lincoln Center and one of the world's most prestigious opera venues. This grand theater has been home to the Metropolitan Opera Company since 1966, presenting the finest in opera, ballet, and classical performances. With its soaring arched facade and iconic crystal chandeliers, the Met represents the pinnacle of New York's cultural scene, attracting legendary artists and discerning audiences from around the globe.
Attending a performance at the Met is an experience that transcends mere entertainment. The theater's exceptional acoustics carry every note with crystalline clarity, while the expansive stage accommodates the most ambitious productions with elaborate sets and costumes. Whether you're seated in the orchestra, dress circle, or upper levels, the theater's thoughtful design ensures excellent sightlines to the stage. The pre-show atmosphere buzzes with anticipation as elegantly dressed patrons gather in the grand lobby, creating an electric energy that enhances every performance.
Located in the heart of Manhattan's Upper West Side, the Metropolitan Opera House anchors Lincoln Center's cultural campus alongside the New York Philharmonic and New York City Ballet. The surrounding plaza, with its illuminated fountain and modernist architecture, creates a sense of occasion as you approach for an evening performance. The neighborhood offers numerous dining options for pre-theater meals, and the proximity to Central Park adds to the area's sophisticated ambiance.
Discover the magic of world-class opera, ballet, and classical performances by exploring upcoming events at the Metropolitan Opera House on CultureTicks.