Source: CCTV.com
03-18-2009 09:14
Fabled past met future promise at a Metropolitan Opera gala like no other. A triple celebration honored the New York company's 125-year history, previewed its current stars in upcoming roles, and found time to pay tribute to Placido Domingo's 40 years at the house.
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| A triple celebration honored the New York company's 125-year history, previewed its current stars in upcoming roles, and found time to pay tribute to Placido Domingo's 40 years at the house. |
If that sounds like a jam-packed agenda, it was. With excerpts from 23 different operas, ranging from brief arias to extended scenes, the festivities clocked in at just over four hours Sunday night.
Much of the evening's charm was due to the loving recreation of old sets and costumes from productions of the past, some of it through the magic of video projection.
Met music director James Levine, whose own 40th anniversary is just two years away, conducted the orchestra with unflagging energy.
The gala also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the debut of Placido Domingo.
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| Kanye West and Mary Kate Olsen were among the stars who attended the gala. |
Kanye West and Mary Kate Olsen were among the stars who attended the gala.
West, a 12-time Grammy winner,talked about how arts influenced him as a child.
Kanye West, singer, said, "My mother had me in art classes at four years old and now it's just great to have the pop (music) outlet to help bring great artists to the forefront and I'm just happy to get invited to this event,"
Other celebrities in attendance included actors Brooke Shields, Claire Danes, Jeremy Irons and Emily Mortimer.
Fashion house Yves Saint Laurent sponsored the 125th anniversary gala.
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Editor:Liu Fang
