AABANY Goes to the Opera: “Turandot” at the Met

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On Tuesday, November 16, AABANY went to the Met Opera at Lincoln Center, an elegant night out co-sponsored by the Membership and Young Lawyers Committees.  “Turandot” proved to be a spectacular feast for the eyes, dappled with humor, tragedy, and an age-old story of unrequited love, sacrifice, and pursuit.  

More than 45 members and guests enjoyed some lighthearted networking on the Family Circle level before the start of the show, and photos were taken against the famous chandeliers of the Opera House.  The experience was enhanced with each person having their own personal subtitles, dimly lit on the backs of the seats in front of them.  Some played with various language settings, to see if in fact, they retained their Italian lessons from high school.  

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The sets were stunning and the score by Puccini was exquisite.  Not a soul wasn’t moved during Act III when the famous “Nessun Dorma” tenor aria vibrated throughout the theater. 

Thanks to everyone who came, and thanks especially to Membership Director Beatrice Leong for organizing the event.  Fun fact: Daphne Chen Matthews, Membership Committee Co-Chair, met both the left and right stage managers on her way home, who confirmed that Turandot “is a perfect introduction to Opera.”  We hope to host more opera nights in the future.

To learn more about the Membership Committee go to http://www.aabany.org/?page=130. To learn more about the Young Lawyers Committee go to http://www.aabany.org/?page=123.

AABANY Goes to the Opera: “La Bohème” at the Met

On Nov. 14, the Membership Committee together with the Asia Practice, Intellectual Property, and Real Estate Committees hosted a Night at the Opera, gathering about 30 AABANY members with friends and family to see a performance of “La Bohème” at the Met in Lincoln Center.

Before the performance a group of attendees mingled and enjoyed drinks and quick bites at the bar outside the Family Circle. Then, at 7:30, everyone went inside to take their seats. The AABANY contingent took up nearly three rows of seats.

For some it was a first-time experience that was greatly enhanced upon the discovery of subtitles that appeared on a thin bar that stretched across the row. Each person could see the subtitles displayed directly in front of them.

The sets were breathtaking and the score by Puccini was classic and timeless. The performances were excellent, and the main cast included two Asian Americans, with Hei-Kyung Hong playing the tragic character Mimi.

By all accounts, this event was a hit among those who attended. Talk is already brewing about another Night at the Opera. Stay tuned!

Thanks to everyone who came, and thanks especially to Membership Director Beatrice Leong for organizing the event.

Upcoming Multicultural Events

AABANY members are encouraged to attend the following fun events happening in this month and November. Big thanks to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Multicultural Audience Development Initiative (MADI) for sharing these events with us. 

Upcoming Events:

Ancient Egypt Transformed: The Middle Kingdom
MADI Viewing and Reception
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
6:30 – 8:30 PM
RSVP: madiegypt.eventbrite.com

Teen Night: Teens Take the Met! (Ages 13–18)
Friday, October 16, 2015
5:00 – 8:00 PM

Vijay Iyer – Holding It Down: The Veterans’ Dreams Project
Performance in the Met’s Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium
Thursday, November 12, 2015
7:30 PM

Ancient Egypt Transformed: The Middle Kingdom
College Group at the Met Viewing and Reception
Thursday, November 12, 2015
8:00 – 11:00 PM

Diwali Family Festival
Sunday, November 15, 2015
12:00 – 5:00 PM
2:30 PM – East-West School of Dance will tell the Story of Diwali The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium