This celebration was my first time inside The Metropolitan Opera. What an introduction to this beautiful place! My seat was in a Grand Tier Box on the right side of the Opera House - just perfect for most of the performances and for watching the chandeliers rising to the ceiling before the 'action' began.

The first performance at the Met was Act 2 from Andrea Chenier with Placido Domingo and Daniela Dessi. I thought Ms. Dessi was wonderful, especially remembering her performance at the Zurich Opernhaus as Dolly in Sly. Unfortunately I could not hear Mr. Domingo - he stayed mostly on the right side of the stage and the orchestra overpowered him there. Applause was fairly light. Costumes and staging were very good.

For me, the second performance at the Met, the final act of Carmen, was the most thrilling ever! The dancers and horses (live and in person) were in full regalia. The usual music and singing took place and finally the toreadors went into the 'ring'. Jose Carreras, 'the one and only tenor', appeared as he always does, from the back around the fence (I knew he was there, but could not see him). Before he opened his mouth to sing, great applause from the audience - it was so spontaneous and moving. Naturally I started to cry then and didn't stop until during the interval. Mr. Carreras was in perfect voice and acted Don Jose as emotionally as ever. After he stabbed Carmen (and he did a good job of that), he collapsed on her. It was absolute total bravos and thundering applause. Curtain call for him was bedlam. The set was a more subdued version of the Zeffirelli one in Verona.

The third performance was the final act from Turandot with Luciano Pavarotti and Jane Eaglen. Patricia Racette was a lovely Liu. The audience applauded Mr. Pavarotti when the curtain went up and he was standing there! He sang 'Nessun Dorma' as well as at the previous Sunday's performance in Washington, DC, and was rewarded with lengthy applause. The set and costumes were colorful and interesting, especially for Turandot and Ping, Pang, and Pong. The orchestra was so loud that it was difficult to hear the singers, especially when they were on the right side of the stage.

There was a bit of a stir when Mr. Pavarotti fell over - looked like he tripped on the step, possibly hindered by those 'puck' shoes with pointy toes - while Ms. Eaglen was singing, but he got himself up and was singing while doing so. He never missed a beat!

After the Turandot curtain calls, the curtain opened again with everyone there - choruses in the background, the string of main singers in line at the front - most of whom had changed to evening or street clothes - our tenor splendid in a grey suit. He got a big hug from Maestro James Levine, who had conducted the orchestra for all three acts, and a pat on the top of his head from Mr. Pavarotti. Mr. Domingo was standing on the right side of the stage with Daniela Dessi and others.

Flashbulbs were flashing and folks were on their feet applauding and cheering. This was definitely NOT a performance by has-beens!

All in all, a terrific night! Too bad there was no evidence of The Met video cameras - a missed chance to raise more funds.