In January of 1967, the Metropolitan Opera House was destroyed three years later, the bland World Apparel Center at West 39th Street and Broadway was built on the site which still stands there today. Image via The Library of Congressĭispleased with all the hoopla, the opera management sued and in August of 1966 the verdict was that all preservation efforts be suspended. They planned to raise $8 million dollars to buy the opera house from the Metropolitan Opera Association but the association countered saying they would make almost double that amount of money if they leased it to a development firm. During the last opera performance, on April 16,1966, the conductor, Leopold Stokoski made a final and simple plea from the podium: “I beg you to save this magnificent house.” Originally the elite of New York went to the Academy of Music to attend opera, but by the 1880s The wealthy New York families that had been banded from the Academy decided they wanted an opera house of their own. opera company, distinguished for the outstanding singers it has attracted since its opening performance (Gounod’s Faust) on October 22, 1883. Ten days before what would be the last performance, a group of composers, actors, and musicians made a final effort to save the opera house. Metropolitan Opera, byname the Met, in New York City, leading U.S. In April 1966, the last month of opera performances, New Yorkers affiliated with the opera house were still making attempts to save it. Unhappy with the decision, New York City Mayor Lindsay and Governor Rockefeller formed the Old Opera House Committee with the goal of preserving the Opera House. Because of the opera management’s opposition and the questionable quality of the architecture, the landmark association voted not to preserve the building. The New York City Landmarks Association considered the opera house as one of their first buildings for preservation. Image via The Library of CongressĮven though the opera house was beautifully designed, it was not a shoe-in to be designated as a historical landmark. Starting in September of 1965, before the building was demolished, a year long dispute occurred between the Metropolitan Opera Association, the New York City Landmarks Association, and a variety of composers, musicians, and New Yorkers who spent their time at the opera house. Image via The Library of Congressĭetails of Stage, 1966.
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