Established in 1883, the Metropolitan Opera is located at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. Founded by a group of business professionals, the opera house initially hosted performances ranging from Italian to German productions before switching its focus to American works. Throughout the Metropolitan’s lifetime, talented artists such as Enrico Caruso and Lawrence Tibbett have graced its stages.
In its 131st anniversary, the Metropolitan maintains its mission of highlighting the musicality of opera and training artists to continue its traditions. Through its annual National Council Auditions, singers endure a rigorous tryout process to earn a notable position within the Metropolitan’s development program, which mentors young talent on building prestigious careers in opera. In addition, the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program extends performance training to an exclusive group of singers and pianists. Guided by a staff of master teachers, artists gain specialized instruction in music, movement, and language.