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.

Tan Dun—Symphony of Colors: Terracotta and Hero Concerto

The Met is excited to present Tan Dun—Symphony of Colors: Terracotta and Hero Concerto

World Premiere Featuring The Juilliard Orchestra, conducted by Tan Dun

Friday, March 31 at 7 pm

Encore: Saturday, April 1 at 2pm

The exhibition Age of Empires: Chinese Art of the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 B.C.–A.D. 220), on view April 3–July 16, 2017, brings to The Met the terracotta warrior sculptures that were buried with the Emperor Qin Shi Huang to protect him in the afterlife. To celebrate this extraordinary exhibition, The Met commissioned a new work from composer Tan Dun—Terracotta Symphony, based on music from his opera, The First Emperor, featuring terracotta drums sourced specifically for this piece. Also on the program is Hero Concerto for violin and orchestra, with music drawn from Tan Dun’s film score for Zhang Yimou’s Hero.

Purchase tickets here.