The Metropolitan Opera will open a newly-designed retail store in the lobby of the Opera House on Tuesday, November 25 at 10:00 am. Reconceived and renovated from top to bottom, the new shop will offer a wide selection of music, books, and jewelry, along with an expanded array of elegant new merchandise, including one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by the Met's history, architecture, and productions. The Met Opera Shop replaces the previous gift shop in the same location.
"The new design makes the store feel connected to the opera house, making it part of the public space," says Tam Terry, the Met's chief merchandising officer. "We have created a distinct collection of merchandise that is tied to opera or the Met in interesting ways."
The 1,600 square foot store, designed by Sam Trimble, will house both a music room and retail space. The shop's design takes cues from details of the opera house, including a crystal chandelier and a bronze entryway echoing the stage proscenium.
The music room will be a destination for classical CDs and DVDs, including the soon-to-be released DVD of The Met: Live in HD transmission of The Magic Flute, the Met's first self-produced DVD and that is available only at the opera shop. Six listening stations will let customers sample a vast selection of current and classic opera recordings, and two 60-inch screens will highlight scenes from various Met productions.
Highlighting the impressive collection of unique products found at the Met Opera Shop are the sputniks, the wood and metal spheres holding the famous Swarovski crystals; they were part of the original Met lobby chandeliers which were refurbished this summer. These objets d'art come in three different sizes.
The Met is partnering with companies and artisans from around the world to create a line of unique products for the retail space. With prices ranging from a $5 Met pen and pencil collection to a large $2,500 sputnik, the Met Opera Shop will have something for everyone who loves opera. Among the unique merchandise to be found only at the Met Opera Shop are:
Jewelry inspired by architectural elements of the Met
Jigsaw puzzles of scenes from classic Met productions
Swarovski crystal opera glasses in three colors
Pewter proscenium flasks
Gold letterpress note card collection
Madama Butterfly figurines and mobiles created by Kazuhiko Tanaka
Gold and white Met-branded stationery collection
La Maison du Chocolat box
Moleskin notebooks embossed with the Met's gold curtain motif
The shop will be open 10am - 10pm, Mondays through Saturdays, and 12pm - 6pm on Sundays. On some late performance nights, the shop will stay open through the second intermission.
For more information about the Met Opera Shop, visit www.metopera.org or call 212-580-4090.
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