Record crowds expected for Prospect Park Opera
Cheers to the Met for bringing culture to the masses -- for FREE!
If you can't normally afford a night at the opera, here's your chance to hear the best songs from all the great operas you may never see - and you can go in your flip-flops.
More than 150,000 spectators are expected to converge on the Long Meadow in Prospect Park for tonight's one-time-only free concert with Metropolitan Opera stars Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna - who will be singing a "best of" set of everyone's favorite arias and duets.
That means two things: First, it's an event not to be missed. And second, to see it, you're going to have to arrive plenty early to stake out a spot. Which means while you're waiting, you might get hungry. SO - we're compiling here some spots to hit along the way, some directions and info on where you can get a free MetroCard for this lovely free event.
Getting there free: Event sponsor Bank of America will hand out 25,000 free MTA MetroCards at one bacnk in each of the five boroughs. First come, first-served. For bank locations, click [HERE], then scroll a little.
How to find the Long Meadow: Prospect Park has many entrances. The Met peopel say the park entrance at 9th Street and Prospect Park West and the one at the Bartel-Pritchard Circle (15th Street and Prospect Park West) are the closest to the concert. Both are stops on the F line , the seventh and eighth stops into Brooklyn.
To scope the area for eats, drinks and more, check our big bad guide the Park Slope. Yes, we covered all corners and crannies on foot so you don't have to. Click [HERE] for video, photos and maps.
And if you want to stock on sundries for a delicioso picnic - we tell you how [HERE].
And if you like the Long Meadow, come back in the early morning with your dog for a romp and splash at nearby dog beach. Video of dogs a' frolicing.
But mostly -- of course -- just go for the opera!
A sample of these two singing:
-- Lauren Johnston
