THE MET OPERA OPENING NIGHT GALA 2017

One of our favorite events of the Fall season is the opening night gala at the Metropolitan Opera. It’s a festive and elegant affair with a good deal of glamor. People for the most part do make an effort to dress for the occasion – men are generally dressed in a version of black tie that can extend to more than just a classic tuxedo. Ladies tend to go all out, and this year’s opening gala was no exception with many glorious gowns and dresses gracing the event.

This being said, I still don’t understand why the MET Opera allows people access wearing shorts, t-shirts, sneakers, etc. It’s easy enough to procure a tie or a button down shirt at the very least. Honestly I feel it is so sloppy and disrespectful to all of the people who put their whole lives into these opera performances, not to mention all of those in attendance who do make an effort to make themselves presentable. #bringbackthedresscode

Regardless, it was still a beautiful evening. The opera season commenced with Bellini’s Norma and a powerhouse soprano, Sondra Radvanovsky, playing the druid priestess whose battle with love and betrayal ends with the ultimate sacrifice on a funeral pyre (a truly stunning culmination to the performance). Sets were a bit dull and dreary, but the vocals were so on point, they more than made up for it.

Scott McBee and I ended our evening with a magnificent dinner at Charles Masson’s masterpiece, Majorelle, with its sublime cuisine and ravishing Michael Smith designed interiors. It was an absolute dream.

For the opening night gala I wore a Tom Ford iridescent aqua/turquoise silk dinner jacket, ruffled white shirt, wool tuxedo pants, and black patent leather opera pumps. I wore a Le Noeud Papillion “Majestic” black bow tie and cummerbund, silk hose from Paul Stuart, Cartier Tank Divan, a rock crystal and black onyx and diamond evening set by Seaman Schepps, and my fragrance for such an elegant affair was Creed Millesime Imperial. Our very own Scott McBee wore Tom Ford head to toe.