2014 I created this blog to reach out to those who have loved opera for a lifetime but also to those who are about to enter into this magical world.

I remember vividly my first exposure to this unique art form, the sense of wonderment, my first performances at the Met, my first recordings, and also my growing awareness of the enormity of it all, its long past and its diverse present. I still find it enormous! I still find it wonderful!

If, through this blog, I can make your operatic moments better, then it is worth my time and hopefully worth yours. Everyone should have a source of deeply rewarding experience. Add the opera to your list.

2015 Now a year later I am happy with the responses to my postings and encouraged to keep up the pace. I'm intentionally not trying to emulate the more august sources of music criticism, but rather to give you all an honest appraisal of things and a little humor when I can. Thank you all for reading me!

2016 Now two years later, I'm updating the structure of the site. I remember those crazy weeks in summer 2014 trying to get the site functional before the beginning of the new opera season, but now it's time to overhaul things and learn more about it. Always time to shake things up!!

2017 Now three years later, the joy of supporting in my own way local opera and continuing to cheer on the big fellows hasn't diminished. I wish I had time for more! Reply to operametromail@gmail.com. Love to hear from you! On to next season!

2018 Now four years later, I'm much more deeply appreciating the passion and professionalism going on at the regional level, the smaller venues with one, maybe two productions a year. Here I find aspiring young singers and instrumentalists, directors, designers, administrators totally dedicated to making opera come alive for their community. Even the artists who've "made it" to the major leagues continue to sacrifice for the love of it. Bravi! So, on to the fifth season of OperaMetro. Shall keep you posted.

2019 Holy…Anyway, already signed up for next year. I got to thinking that though there is a lot, I mean ‘a lot’ of opera on YouTube, especially historical video excerpts, the Met channel on Sirius, the Met on Demand, WQXR live opera on Saturdays, etc., the truth is that we no longer have much choice about the access to a complete opera, beginning to end. They are available, just not always on our schedule, and for Sirius in the car, we’re not in it long enough. Think about it. I mean, if you wanted to prepare specifically for Das Wunder der Heliane (for me it was performed on Sunday, 7/28) or Nixon in China (Sunday, 6/30), you’d be out of luck. It’s why I’m loathe to toss my LPs, cassettes, CDs and DVDs. Control of input. Living the life less random.

Now 2022…the pandemic not only shut down opera houses and live performances, it rendered OperaMetro without a purpose. Or, to be more precise, on top of all of the other roadblocks put in the way of the day job, there was precious little time to get into the few operas available at the Met and at Bard. Happily, things are settling, Met is back in full gear, and there is a lot to write about. So, hello again! OM

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