Rediscover the Drama With Classical Theater in New York
The words of Shakespeare or the sting of Moliere?
Classical theater - an ode to stories that have stood the test of time! When it comes to classical theater and opera, New York is in its own league.
Tucked away in parks, towering venues, and intimate spaces is a thriving classical theater NYC scene. Shakespeare in the Park under the stars, The Classical Theatre of Harlem and smaller companies like NY Classical Theater are making 400-year-old plays feel as urgent and important as if they had been released yesterday!
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Andrea Bocelli
A disciple of Luciano Pavarotti and Zucchero Fornaciari, Andrea Bocelli may have lost his sight at 12, but that didn't stop the world's greatest Italian tenor from selling 90 million records, earning a Golden Globe Award and a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The crossover sensation has one of the best-selling albums of all time (20 million copies of Romanza sold) and has inspired and worked with modern pop legends such as Celine Dion and Ed Sheeran. Don't miss Andrea Bocelli as he heads to a stage near you!
Metropolitan Opera - Porgy and Bess
One of the most acclaimed Met Opera productions of the last two decades, James Robinson's highly acclaimed production of the landmark American classic, returns for the 2025/26 season! Starring Alfred Walker and Brittany Renee as the titular couple, the Gershwin's folk-inspired epic takes us into the heart of 1930s Charleston, where the residents of Catfish Row tell a story of fraught tensions, love, grief, and the search for redemption.
Metropolitan Opera - The Magic Flute
Julie Taymor's celebrated fantasy production of The Magic Flute returns once more for the holidays! Complete with dancing bears and giant flamingos. It is sung in English and runs a brisk 100 minutes making this abridged version a great night out for families and a much-loved Metropolitan Opera tradition.
Metropolitan Opera - Madama Butterfly
Anthony Minghella's breathtakingly beautiful and powerfully dramatic production returns, with the lead role of Cio-Cio San shared by a trio of stunning performers: Ailyn Perez, Sonya Yoncheva, and Elena Stikhina who will make their Met debuts this season. Widely known as the opera that inspired the Broadway musical Miss Saigon, the tragic story sees a young Japanese bride abandoned by her American husband for a new wife back home.
Metropolitan Opera - La Traviata
Michael Mayer's stunning production of Verdi's heartbreaking classic returns to the Met for the 2025/26 season. The sweeping tale of love set against the backdrop of a decadent Paris will play out against a stunning set that changes with the season, illustrating the fleeting nature of Violetta and Alfredo's doomed, but exquisitely beautiful romance.
Why Classical Theater NYCT Is Worth Experiencing
What makes classical theater NYCT so special? It's the mix of tradition and reinvention. One night, you're watching Hamlet in full Elizabethan costume; the next, you're seeing Julius Caesar as a modern political thriller. These shows prove that eternal themes like love and betrayal never go out of style.
