One of the undisputed joys of attending an opera at the Met is the singing of the peerless Met Chorus. Led by beloved Maestro Donald Palumbo, the chorus is key to the success and beauty of each opera in which it performs. The Met Chorus comprises 74 regular choristers and enlists another 73 extra choristers for large-scale operas, such as last season’s productions of Wagner’s Lohengrin and Verdi’s Aida.
The extraordinary skill and stamina of the Met Chorus is made clear when one considers that they are performing up to five repertory operas simultaneously, while also preparing for future productions. Especially difficult are Russian and Czech operas, sung in languages unfamiliar to most members.
Palumbo believes that the group's musical versatility, dramatic commitment, and consistent quality across a wide range of operatic styles is what sets it apart. In any given week the singers could inhabit the Baroque filigree of Handel, the grand gestures of Wagner, the full choral sound of Verdi or Puccini, the complex and subtly shifting progressions of Philip Glass, or the jazz-infused rhythms of Terence Blanchard.
In the 2023–24 season, Maestro Palumbo is especially looking forward to Tannhäuser, which, after last season’s Lohengrin and Der Fliegende Holländer, continues the group’s focus on masterpieces in the German tradition. He is also excited about John Adams’s El Niño. “I have always enjoyed John Adams’s choral writing, so to perform a piece of his that is very heavy with chorus is going to be challenging and a lot of fun.”
This incredible ensemble of singers is just one way the Metropolitan Opera serves as a beacon of excellence in opera. To help continue this tradition, please consider making a gift to the company in your estate or other long-term financial plans. For assistance or further information, please contact Pamela Bennett at 212.870.7388 or encoresociety@metopera.org.