The Two Mets

Spending a Saturday at one of the "Mets" in this case the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, is always lovely. Here in the great Foyer is one of the two urns that is loaded with blossoms from cherry tree branches.You can feel time stand still when you walk through the Great hall of Classical Sculptures.This is a Cycladic sculpture of a harp player. Marble seated harp player
Cycladic, late Early Cycladic I–Early Cycladic II, ca. 2800–2700 B.C.
H. with harp 11 1/2 in. (29.21 cm) click here for more info on this period from the MetMore Cycladic sculptures, obvious inspirations for modern artists.Dipylon Vase, 8th Century B.C. Height 42 1/2" (information from W.H. Janson's History of Art.Detail of the Vase above, notice the figure of the horse.A sculpture with a similar horse figure.An early altarpiece.The following Saturday this "Met", the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center featured a performance of Madama Butterfly. The huge banner hanging across the front of the opera house anounces another opera, La Sonnambula.No pictures are allowed in the opera house, but here is the poster outside on the plaza. Information from the Met's web site:
Madama Butterfly – Giacomo Puccini
This was the Met's 830th performance of this opera.
Saturday, March 7, 2009 (1:00 pm ET)
Running time 3 hours 21 minutes /two intermissions
Patricia Racette returns to the title role of Anthony Minghella’s stunning production, a new classic of the Met repertory, opposite Marcello Giordani.Conductor: Patrick Summers; Production: Anthony Minghella; Patricia Racette, Marcello Giordani

This is an picture that shows the "Puppet" that was used in this production. It was manipulated by three puppeteers draped in black outfits. This was a very interesting element in a production that was not my mother's Madama Butterfly, but very beautiful in its updated scenery and lighting effects. Click here for more information about the Metropolitan Opera.