New York City Opera Outdoor Puccini Celebration in the Heart of Manhattan | Straight Up

Huge crowds turned out for two boffo evenings of concert excerpts from Puccini’s operas on Friday and Saturday in Bryant Park. I attended on a beautiful, balmy Saturday evening. Music was provided by New York City Opera (Orchestra and Chorus), “famously dubbed ‘The People’s Opera’ by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia at its founding in 1943.’” It’s part of the free summer Picnic Performances.

The truth is, despite the balmy pleasure of the outdoors, the music and the singers’ performances are better appreciated as streamed online. It puts you right there. (Begin at 15:43 on the video counter.)