By 1960, it had its own radio station – the Metropolitan Opera Radio Network. Thus, it began live network radio broadcasts of its performances. The financial strain of the Great Depression prompted the opera company to seek national exposure.
In the 1930s, the Met reached an even larger audience. Then in 1903, it was redesigned with a brilliant golden auditorium, sunburst chandelier, and arch inscribed with the names of six historic composers. When it reopened under the management of Maurice Grau, the Met enjoyed significant success. Additionally, a fire in 1892 forced it to close for a season for repairs.
The new opera house struggled in its early years. US #2250 – Caruso was the most famous member of the Metropolitan Opera’s company of performers. The Metropolitan Opera became revered for the high caliber of shows and talent it offered. Finally, it was agreed that each work should be performed in its original language where possible. Then, for a period, everything was done in German. When the new opera house opened in 1883, everything was performed in Italian. US #3154-57 was issued to mark the 400th anniversary of opera as a musical form that began in 16th century Florence, Italy. Inside, three tiers of private boxes assured a spot for all the industrialists who wanted to attend. It was nicknamed “The Yellow Brick Brewery” because of its industrial styled exterior. The building spanned an entire block in the Garment District of Midtown Manhattan. The Met opened at 1411 Broadway on October 22, 1883, with a performance of Faust. A small group of businessmen soon organized a plan to build a new, bigger, better opera house – the Metropolitan Opera House, also known as the “Met.” US #2054 – Colorano Silk Cachet First Day Cover. They were determined to build their own opera house that would be superior to the Academy of Music in every way. Self-made millionaires, such as the Vanderbilts and Morgans, were excluded. The private boxes at the Academy of Music opera house were reserved for those who had inherited their wealth. It was small and didn’t have enough private boxes to accommodate all of the city’s up-and-coming wealthy patrons. In the 1880s, the only opera house in New York City was the Academy of Music. On September 16, 1966, the Metropolitan Opera House opened at New York’s Lincoln Center, the largest repertory opera house in the world. Metropolitan Opera House Opens US #2054 was issued for the 100th anniversary of the original Met and pictures a view of the modern building.
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