We were told in a press release that last night's Metropolitan Opera's Young Associates' Season Preview Party is "a great way for young people to enter the world of philanthropy while gaining valuable connections for the future." Here are some photos of what that connection-percolating looks like.
Sure the prosecco was cold, and the cheeses were many (remember when Father overstocked that fridge on the rental Benetti and he was—and you were—HA-HA-HA!), but the evening's real treat were performances from bass-baritone Brandon Cedel and soprano Mary-Jane Lee. The ideal time to pass the collection plate would have been a second before the cloud of applause, while the hairs on the back of our necks were still rigid and our hearts were full of wonder at the human voice's ability to eviscerate the flesh around our souls.
After the event, one Young Associate confided to us that the evening's top gossip item had nothing to do with the Met. "Everyone was talking about Anna Nicole," the patron said, referring to New York City Opera's unorthodox season opener that was recently deemed a smash by the Times. "They wanted to bring it here but they were priced out."
We asked the patron, who declined to give his name because he was speaking so frankly (there are only around 500 Young Associates), why the Met didn't just make it work? "Look whose name is on the theater: David Koch," they replied, mispronouncing it as one would a rooster or a penis.
"I mean 'Coke!' That was a Freudian slip, wasn't it?"
Would they see Anna Nicole? "My friend said it was transcendent. I think I may have to cross the East River for this one."
It costs $600 to be a Young Associate ($1,250 for "full benefits") but you can see the opera for as little as $27.00.
