I would not have known what I'd be missing were it not for Jeremiah Moss' Vanishing New York and for our friend Judy. Located in the charming East Village a couple of doors from the previous site of the music club CBGB which also shut down in 2006, the Amato Opera will be closing its doors after 61 years this month.
Owned and operated by the 88-year old Anthony Amato and his wife Sally, who passed away in 2000, it is probably the smallest opera venue in the world. The building is a narrow structure, a former warehouse on the Bowery and from the looks of it requires a lot of work and updating in order to comply with current building codes.
It's a tiny theatre that sits probably 100 plus. For the performance of The Marriage of Figaro we sat in the last and highest row EE of the theatre (others where ushered to their seats by a girl no more than 12 years old), where we could even hear footsteps from the people on the upper level of the building. Overhead is a moderately-sized ceiling fan, and to the left of us tacked on the wall is the note Please do not change the speed of the fan.
Owned and operated by the 88-year old Anthony Amato and his wife Sally, who passed away in 2000, it is probably the smallest opera venue in the world. The building is a narrow structure, a former warehouse on the Bowery and from the looks of it requires a lot of work and updating in order to comply with current building codes.
It's a tiny theatre that sits probably 100 plus. For the performance of The Marriage of Figaro we sat in the last and highest row EE of the theatre (others where ushered to their seats by a girl no more than 12 years old), where we could even hear footsteps from the people on the upper level of the building. Overhead is a moderately-sized ceiling fan, and to the left of us tacked on the wall is the note Please do not change the speed of the fan.
Walk down less than twelve steps to the main floor and you'll find yourself at the main entrance door and out on the Bowery close to East 2nd (Bond St.). Across the street is Bouwerie Lane Theatre a historic landmark and a rare example of fine architecture. Built in 1874, this cast iron building was designed in French Second Empire style. And a whole row of buildings probably also built centuries ago next to it along the Bowery.
At intermission, homemade cookies, tea and coffee were offered for sale at the snack bar at the orchestra level which is also the basement. The tiny restrooms were appropriately identified with caricatures sketched by the great American caricaturist Al Hirschfeld.
Modest in its appearance but I read that this opera company has presented some of the best homemade opera productions comparable to the Met and the NYC Opera. It's cozy and intimate setting offers a closer view of the stage. The orchestra consists of a piano plus a few winds but that did not take away anything from the phenomenal performance by the artists.
At intermission, homemade cookies, tea and coffee were offered for sale at the snack bar at the orchestra level which is also the basement. The tiny restrooms were appropriately identified with caricatures sketched by the great American caricaturist Al Hirschfeld.
Modest in its appearance but I read that this opera company has presented some of the best homemade opera productions comparable to the Met and the NYC Opera. It's cozy and intimate setting offers a closer view of the stage. The orchestra consists of a piano plus a few winds but that did not take away anything from the phenomenal performance by the artists.
Shown here is the energetic Tony Amato joining the cast at last night's final curtain of The Marriage of Figaro. The stage is small, the sets with full scenery, the costumes, makeup and lighting are, as one reviewer commented, "as far from the Metropolitan Opera as high school hoops are from the NBA". It's opera on a smaller scale but certainly at affordable ticket prices. What a charming place for an evening of entertainment.
It is a shame that New York City will be losing another favorite venue, many for sure will be mourning the closing. I heard that the building was sold for 3.7 million dollars to one of the worst landlord in the City. For that price I think that's a steal, in the East Village?
Unique shops and eateries of all sorts dot the East Village. I fell in love with one of the bookshops, the bistros along Bowery and the tree-lined streets and the elegant brownstones along East 2nd.
Our early pre-show dinner was at Cremcaffe and was nothing more than a Bailout Package cucina Italiana style. Charming little cafe with outdoor tables, service was good, food was ordinary, the round mirror in the restroom I think was designed for giants. Pat and I had to jump up a foot to view our faces. Judy was the only one who's able to see herself on that mirror without exerting any effort (she's over 6 feet tall - or so it seems from a short person's perspective).God bless Tony and Sally Amato for dedicating their lives to the arts. Talk about passion and inspiration. Goodbye Amato Opera House.
