Attending Performances
Facilities & Services
To ensure your visit to the Metropolitan Opera is pleasurable, please review the topics listed on the right for additional information you may need while attending a performance.
Box Office
Monday to Saturday
The box office opens at 10:00 am and closes after the first intermission of the evening performance. If there is no evening performance or intermission, the hours are 10:00 am – 8:00 pm.
Sunday
Noon – 6:00 pm
After the Box Office closes, all paid reservations for that performance are transferred to the Ticket Taker at the Front Gate in the lobby of the opera house and tickets are no longer available for purchase for that performance.
Return/Refund Policy
It is general policy at the Met that there are no refunds, exchanges or cancellations. Subscribers do have certain exchange privileges.
Ticket Donations
If you are unable to use your tickets, you may donate them to the Metropolitan Opera for resale until curtain time by calling Met Ticket Service at 212-362-6000, or by mailing unripped tickets to:
Metropolitan Opera
P.O. Box 1704
New York, NY 10023
Ticket donations must be received prior to the performance. Once donated tickets are received by the Met, a tax receipt will be issued by mail four weeks after the performance date. If you choose to donate your ticket in person at the Box Office, a tax receipt will be issued at that time.
Coat Check
There is a coat check station located on the South Concourse level.
There is a private coat check for members of the Metropolitan Opera Patron Program located in the lobby of List Hall (ChevronTexaco Gallery).
Dinner hour coat check is available on the North side of the Grand Tier starting 2 hours prior to curtain; coats are moved from the Grand Tier to the Concourse Level and the Patron Coat Check 30 minutes prior to curtain.
An usher is available on the Parterre level during the dinner hour for those seated in the Parterre boxes who would like to leave their coats in their boxes.
Other Information
Opera Shop & Gift Certificates
The reconceived and renovated Met Opera Shop, located in the north lobby adjacent to the box office, is now open. The store offers a wide selection of CDs, DVDs, books, and a lineup of special items inspired by and tied to Met productions and the company's history. We look forward to welcoming you back to an exciting new retail destination for the best in music, design, and the opera lifestyle. The online shop will reopen in 2009.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. (or the end of second intermission) and Sundays from noon to 6 P.M. Met Opera Shop can be reached at 212-580-4090.
Gift Cards
Gift Cards can be purchased by phone (212-362-6000), at the Met box office, in the Met Opera Shop or online. You can also purchase an E-Gift Card on the Met website. Learn more.
Met Titles
Met Titles are a custom designed system for simultaneous translation that has been created by the Metropolitan Opera. They are used for all opera performances.
The Met Titles are seen on individual screens on the seat backs, on stanchions and at all Standing Room locations except the Grand Tier.
The screen is controlled by each viewer, so that any audience member who wishes not to have Met Titles can choose not to turn them on.
The screens are polarized, so that they are not easily visible from either side, to minimize intrusion on neighboring seats.
Displays in some boxes slide or pivot to facilitate seating and optimize viewing. Please consult with an usher for instructions on how to adjust these displays.
Prior to use and before each act begins, each unit will display the message "Met Titles: press to view". To activate the titles, push the red button by the screen. The titles must be re-activated before each act. When activated, prior to the curtain going up, the screen will indicate which act is upcoming.
Please note that titles will appear at irregular intervals as needed, and there will be periods during performances where titles are not appropriate and the screen will be dark.
Should you require any assistance with your Met Titles screen, please consult with an usher.
The Metropolitan Opera Club
The Metropolitan Opera Club is a private club located on the Dress Circle level of the Metropolitan Opera House. Membership is through club nomination only.
Lost & Found
Inquiries should be made at the Chief Usher’s Office on the day of the event.
Thereafter, please contact the Security Office at 212-799-3100, extension 2499. Hours are Monday – Friday, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Eastern Time. We will return voice mail messages and inquiries the following business day.
Binoculars
Binoculars are available for rental at the coat check station on the South Concourse level.
Lounges & Rest Rooms
Lounges and rest rooms are available on all seating levels. Additional ladies’ rest rooms are now available on the Family Circle and Founders Hall levels.
First Aid & Emergency Procedure
A doctor is in attendance during all performances. In the case of an emergency, please notify an usher immediately.
The exits indicated by a red light and the sign nearest the seat you occupy are the shortest routes to the street. In the event of an emergency, please walk — do not run — to the nearest exit.