Duration
2 hrs with 2 intervals
Closing Date
Until November 29, 2025
Age limit
Suitable for 12+ yrs
Why Watch Arabella?
- Set in 19th-century Vienna, Richard Strauss’s romantic opera blends comedy and heartfelt drama as Arabella searches for love amid changing social tides.
- The Met revival stars Rachel Willis-Sørensen in her role debut, Louise Alder in her house debut, and Tomasz Konieczny, conducted by Nicholas Carter.
- Strauss’s refined score features soaring soprano lines, lush orchestration, and a moving final scene that communicates love through music alone.
- Otto Schenk’s lavish production, with Schneider-Siemssen’s detailed sets and Canonero’s costumes, recreates Vienna’s glittering ballrooms and salons.
- Hailed by The New York Times as “as beautiful as one could hope,” this limited run is a standout of New York’s opera season. Book your Arabella opera tickets in New York now!
Richard Strauss’s Arabella premiered in Dresden in 1933 as his final collaboration with librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal and has since become a beloved work for its elegant blend of romance, wit, and lyrical beauty. The story follows Arabella, a young noblewoman searching for love on her own terms amid the fading grandeur of 1860s Vienna. Otto Schenk’s production at the Metropolitan Opera House revives the work’s old-world glamour with richly detailed sets and costumes, immersing audiences in the Viennese world of debutante balls and noble intrigues. This season stars Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Arabella, Louise Alder as Zdenka, and Tomasz Konieczny as Mandryka. Nicholas Carter conducts Strauss’s sumptuous score, known for its intricate soprano lines and emotional depth.
Storyline
Set in Vienna around 1860, Arabella centers on the Waldner family, members of the declining aristocracy trying to maintain their status in a modernizing society. Arabella, their eldest daughter, is expected to make a wealthy match to restore the family’s fortunes. But when a mysterious suitor named Mandryka enters her life, her vision of love and duty is challenged. With its blend of romantic ideals and social realities, Strauss’s opera unfolds through lyrical arias, glittering ballroom scenes, and intimate moments of personal awakening. What path will Arabella choose? Book your tickets to Arabella opera in New York to witness the answer unfold live.
Show timings
Show timings for Arabella may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
Cast & Crew
Leading roles: Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Arabella, Louise Alder as Zdenka, Tomasz Konieczny as Mandryka, Pavol Breslik as Matteo, Karen Cargill as Adelaide, Brindley Sherratt as Waldner, and Julie Roset as Fiakermilli.
Director: Otto Schenk
Producer: Metropolitan Opera
Written by: Hugo von Hofmannsthal
Production: Otto Schenk
Composer: Richard Strauss
Lyrics: Hugo von Hofmannsthal (German libretto)
Set designer: Günther Schneider-Siemssen
Costume designer: Milena Canonero
Age Suitability
Note: Please note that video cameras will be in operation during the November 18 and November 22 performances as part of the Met’s Live in HD series of cinema transmissions.
This show is suitable for ages 12 years and above.
Age suitability recommendations are just suggestions. So, trust your judgment when booking tickets for any show, and enjoy!
Most theaters are air-conditioned year-round, so it can get a bit chilly. Bring a light jacket just in case.
Metropolitan Opera House
The Metropolitan Opera House, located in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on Broadway, is home to the Metropolitan Opera and has been since it opened in 1966. The theatre, designed by Wallace Harrison, is one of the world's largest opera houses with a seating capacity of 3800. The Metropolitan Opera House is renowned for its technologically advanced stage facilities, its excellent acoustics, and the grandeur of its auditorium and front-of-house spaces. Seating Capacity: 3800 Metropolitan Opera House Seating Plan will help you find the best seats in the theatre.
Getting There
- Address: 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, USA
- By metro:
Take the No. 1 train to 66th Street Lincoln Center station
- By train:
The Nearest station to the venue is 66th Street–Lincoln Center (1 train). The venue is just a 3‑minute walk from the station.
- By bus:
Buses M5, M7, M10, M11, M20, M66, M104 and BxM2 stop at the Metropolitan Opera House
- By car:
Patrons can drive or take a taxi to reach the Met.
Facilities & Accessibility
Amenities: Dining outlets, Cloak room, Toilets, Souvenir shop, Free parking, Wifi
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Service animals allowed, Elevator access
Additional Information
- Note: Please note that video cameras will be in operation during the November 18 and November 22 performances as part of the Met’s Live in HD series of cinema transmissions.
- Security: To ensure your comfort and security, you might encounter a few security checks when you arrive at the venue.
- Dress code: Smart casual or semi-formal attire is the way to go.
- Outside food: While outside food isn't usually allowed, many theaters have cafes or restaurants nearby for you to check out before or after the show.
Tickets Redemption
You will receive an email with your Arabella voucher. No need to print. Please carry a valid Photo Id for identification.
Cancellation & Refunds
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Frequently asked questions
The opera does not have a strict age limit. However, it is most suitable for children aged 12 years and above.
The show is playing at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
Set in 1860s Vienna, it follows Arabella, a young noblewoman navigating love, family expectations, and societal change in the waning days of the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy.
The running time is 3 hours and 50 minutes with two intermissions.
Rachel Willis-Sørensen makes her role debut as Arabella, Louise Alder debuts as Zdenka, and Tomasz Konieczny stars as Mandryka.
Yes, Met Titles are displayed on individual seat-back screens in English, German, and Spanish, so you can follow along comfortably.
It revives Otto Schenk’s classic staging, with Günther Schneider-Siemssen’s elegant sets and Milena Canonero’s costumes.
Yes. Its romantic story, beautiful music, and elegant staging make it accessible, even for those new to German opera.
