Frequently Asked Questions about Live in HD

• Where can I find the featured Live in HD operas, performance dates, start times, and participating locations?

  Please visit metopera.org/hd for the full schedule of events, including the Eastern–time-zone start time. Thousands of venues in more than 50 countries around the world participate in The Met: Live in HD.

• How long is/are the intermission(s) for each transmission?

  Intermission times vary from production to production depending on needs of the staging, but most run between 30 and 40 minutes. 

• What happens during the intermission(s) of the live transmissions? 

  Live in HD intermissions feature a behind-the-scenes look at the production with live host interviews with singers, opera directors, designers, and stage technicians, as well as short documentaries and previews of coming productions. Hosts have included renowned Met stars like Renée Fleming and Joyce DiDonato, Broadway legends Audra McDonald and Kelli O’Hara, award-winning TV and film stars Christine Baranski and Angela Bassett, and more!

• What is an encore screening? 

  An encore screening is a rebroadcast of a Live in HD event. The live performance is recorded for the encore and presented without any editing. Encore-presentation dates and times vary, but most movie theaters in the United States offer matinee and evening presentations. Click here to view the 2023–24 U.S. Encore Schedule. 

• Will program books be available for sale at the theaters?

  Programs are not for sale; however the Met provides its venue partners with cast sheets that many locations distribute to attendees free of charge. These are one-sheets that feature key casting information and a synopsis of the day’s opera. Cast sheets are also available to view, download, and print on each featured Live in HD opera’s webpage prior to its live transmission. 

  For complete information on the Live in HD season, including casting, synopses, and special features, you can also request a free copy of the Live in HD and Radio Program Guide here.

• There are no participating theaters close to me. Is there another way to watch the Live in HD transmissions?  

  For select audiences who do not have access to The Met: Live in HD performances, the Met offers streaming access through The Met: Live at Home platform. Streaming is available only in select areas around the world where The Met: Live in HD is not available in cinemas.

• Is there a way to rewatch past Live in HD operas?

  A number of past Live in HD performances are available for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray at the Met Opera Shop. Additionally, you can access many past Live in HD performances through our online subscription streaming service, Met Opera on Demand. 

Theater and Ticketing Information

• How can I find a participating theater?

  Using our website’s Theater Finder tool, enter your city and state to view nearby participating locations.

• I represent a theater wishing to screen The Met: Live in HD transmissions. How can I join?

  The Met is always interested in expanding the reach of The Met: Live in HD. Click here to fill out an application.

• How do I purchase tickets for The Met: Live in HD? 

  Tickets are sold directly through the participating venues. While the Metropolitan Opera partners with movie theaters worldwide to present The Met: Live in HD transmissions, the Met does not sell Live in HD tickets directly. 

  Using our website’s Theater Finder tool and entering your city and state, you will be directed to a nearby theater website where you can purchase a ticket online. Tickets are also on sale at participating theater box offices.

• When will tickets go on sale?

  In the United States and Canada, tickets will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, July 24, for the 2024-25 Live in HD season. Met members at the Supporting level ($150) or higher can enjoy advance access to tickets in the U.S. and Canada. International on-sale dates will vary by individual distributor––please check your local cinema listings. 

• How much does a Live in HD ticket cost?

  Ticket prices will vary at different participating venues. The global average ticket price is $23. 

• Can I return my Live in HD ticket or request a refund?

  For specific ticketing concerns, please reach out to your local venue or the site from which you purchased tickets. Because the Met does not sell Live in HD tickets directly, the Met cannot assist directly with ticketing inquiries. 

• Are there volunteer opportunities to help support promotion of The Met: Live in HD in my local community?

  Yes, the Met runs a volunteer program of Live in HD Ambassadors who represent the Met in their local communities across the U.S. and increase awareness of The Met: Live in HD series. If you are interested in becoming an Ambassador, please email HDAmbassadorAdmin@metopera.org.

Subtitles

• Will there be subtitles during Live in HD transmissions?

  Yes, there are on-screen subtitles for all transmissions. Languages of the subtitles will vary based on location. English subtitles are included in the United States, even if the opera is sung in English.

  English StreamText captioning is available for each transmission here. 

  English Transcripts will also be available to view following each live transmission here. These include all of the dialogue from hosts and interview segments but do not include performance subtitles.

Technology

• What technology allows the Met to transmit live performances to movie theaters across the globe?

  Recent developments in digital technology, including advanced satellite equipment, have made receiving live transmissions from around the world possible. These transmissions provide a real cinematic experience in a live format, presenting a high-quality viewing experience for opera performances for fans everywhere. 

• Transmitting a live theatrical performance to movie theaters must present some technical challenges. Do you experience any?

  Sometimes, customers might experience video and audio glitches at their participating theater location during live transmissions. When they occur, the issues are most-likely “local” in nature, meaning one cinema may experience a small problem, while another nearby has a perfect transmission. 

  In the event that technical difficulties occur during a live transmission, cinema partners are prepared to report any issues to the Met, and we try to address and rectify them as quickly as possible. 

• Will my theater’s technology improve? Where do I report any audio/visual issues that occurred during the transmission?

  It’s our goal to provide the best viewing experience possible for all Live in HD audiences. Even though all live transmissions pose the risk of technical issues, most of these issues occur “locally,”  meaning one cinema may experience a small problem, while another nearby has a perfect transmission.

  If you have an issue to report, please inform your theater management of your experience. 

• Are there different camera angles and closeups of singers, conductors, and the orchestra?

  Each transmission is produced with at least ten high-definition cameras, meaning there are multiple points of view and different kinds of shots featured in each transmission, including closeups. 

• Is the stage lighting different during the live transmissions?

  Sometimes the original theatrical lighting is modified for the transmissions. Live in HD video controllers and the Met’s stage-lighting artists collaborate on any necessary changes to provide each transmission with the best lighting possible. 

• How does sound from the opera house translate to movie theaters?

  Our transmissions are engineered and delivered to movie theaters in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound to accommodate most movie-theater systems. It is the next best audio experience to being in the opera house itself.

Supporting the Met

• Why should I support the Met?

  We are committed to bringing extraordinary performances to opera lovers around the globe through our Live in HD series. During the 2024-25 season, we will present eight live performances in more than 50 countries. Putting on a full season is expensive, and we rely on contributions from our loyal supporters to help keep the Met thriving, ensuring access to extraordinary performances for generations to come. We welcome and thank you for your membership support.

• Can I make a fully tax-deductible contribution of any amount?

  Yes, we welcome gifts of any amount.