A century ago, the Philadelphia Metropolitan Opera House was acknowledged around the world as a distinguished venue with incredible sound acoustics.
The opera house was built in 1908 by Oscar Hammerstein, grandfather to Oscar Hammerstein II of Rogers and Hammerstein fame, and became a cultural hub for opera performances. Throughout time, the venue had transitioned into a place for sporting events, church services, gospel concerts, and even became a school. The opera house eventually became abandoned and vacant for decades until it was renovated into the beautiful venue standing on North Broad Street today!
The Met reopened in December of 2018 and already has an impressive lineup of speakers and entertainers performing at the venue. Bob Dylan was the first performer to hit the newly renovated stage in December, and pop icon Mariah Carey is scheduled to visit the Met in April. Besides musical acts, the Met also welcomed comedian John Oliver to the stage in December, and Chelsea Handler and Trevor Noah are scheduled to do stand-up as well. Bill and Hillary Clinton are also set to bring their speaking tour to the Met in April. Evidently, the venue has a wide variety of events that cater to every person and what they’re looking for.
I got to experience the new venue first hand when I saw John Oliver perform in December.
The opera house was beautifully renovated and completely transported you back into the early 1900’s. Not only was the appearance top notch, but the staff was extremely accommodating as well. My family and I were originally placed in the balcony section of the theatre. Shortly after arriving, one of the employees noticed that there were open seats on the first floor and offered to have our seats moved. And as always, John Oliver gave a hilarious performance. The night was truly an unforgettable experience!
As noted, the opera house is located on North Broad Street in North Philadelphia. For Temple University students, it is extremely easy to catch a show at the Met as the venue is only minutes away from campus. The venue is also steps away from the Girard subway station of the Broad Street Line, which makes it very accessible through public transportation. If you choose to drive, the Met offers parking in several lots that are all within close proximity to the venue.
Within the first few months of its reopening, the Met has been consistently selling out shows and drawing in large crowds.
It is a place that perfectly celebrates the history of Philadelphia’s performing arts while also embracing today’s biggest entertainers. To find upcoming shows and purchase tickets, visit their website today!