The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2024 Summer Recital Series lineup in collaboration with Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage.
The recital series will feature performances in all five boroughs. The first recital on June 18 will be in the heart of Manhattan at SummerStage in Central Park. Soprano, Leah Hawkins, tenor, Mario Chang and bass-baritone, Michael Sumuel will take to the stage to kick off the recitals. Opera fans can bring chairs and blankets to enjoy the free concerts.
The first Met opera house opened in 1883 by a group of wealthy businessmen. It wasn’t until 1966, when the Met joined the other New York arts institutions, that the opera house in Lincoln Center opened. This theater was better equipped with the technology needed for a metropolitan experience. In order to expand its audience, the opera house introduced its The Met: Live in HD in 2006, bringing the opera experience to cinemas across the country. In another effort to expand its audience, the Met brought its work to parks around NYC.
The first Summer Recital Series happened in 2009. The idea was to bring music to people who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to experience an Opera. Since 2009, the Met singers have performed nearly every year with a break in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid.
June 18: CityParks SummerStage, Central Park—Manhattan
Leah Hawkins, Soprano
Mario Chang, Tenor
Michael Sumuel, Bass-Baritone
Dimitri Dover, Piano
June 20: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1—Brooklyn
Leah Hawkins, Soprano
Mario Chang, Tenor
Michael Sumuel, Bass-Baritone
Dimitri Dover, Piano
June 24: Jackie Robinson Park—Manhattan
Brittany Olivia Logan, Soprano
Hannah Jones, Mezzo-Soprano
Matthew Cairns, Tenor
Deborah Robertson, Piano
June 26: Williamsbridge Oval—Bronx
Brittany Olivia Logan, Soprano
Hannah Jones, Mezzo-Soprano
Matthew Cairns, Tenor
Deborah Robertson, Piano
June 28: Socrates Sculpture Park—Queens
Brittany Olivia Logan, Soprano
Hannah Jones, Mezzo-Soprano
Matthew Cairns, Tenor
Deborah Robertson, Piano