Formed in 1883 by a group of disgruntled millionaires unable to obtain boxes at the Academy of Music, the New York Metropolitan Opera rapidly achieved international recognition. But as well as attracting the world's most celebrated singers, the Met has always been a place for the audience to dress up, be seen and score social points off one another.
Jerry Miller finds out what opera-goers past and present have looked for in a night out at the Met.
Producer Hamish Mykura