Heavy velvet curtains, soaring sopranos, and the blinding glow of stage lights usually dominate an evening at Lincoln Center.
But the true illusion of the theater actually begins long before the first note is sung!
Decades of artistic history sit quietly beneath the main auditorium, capturing the sweeping drama of legendary productions through thread, lace, and intricate beadwork.
Now, a dazzling new exhibit is letting New Yorkers peek behind the curtain.
Located in Founders Hall on the Concourse level of the Metropolitan Opera House, Behind the Seams: Costuming the Met invites audiences into the literal wardrobe of the city’s most famous performers.
Examining 150 years of theatrical design
As the largest costume exhibition in the Met’s history, the gallery highlights more than 20 historical garments and accessories pulled directly from the Metropolitan Opera Archives.
The exhibition traces nearly a century and a half of operatic costume design—from the company’s early days of relying on stock costumes to the establishment of its world-class, in-house costume department.
Forget the opera glasses!
This gallery allows a close-up look at heavy fabrics and complex embroidery that are otherwise impossible to inspect from the mezzanine.
Among the jaw-dropping collection is the iconic gown designed by Cecil Beaton for dramatic soprano Birgit Nilsson in a 1961 production of Puccini’s Turandot.
You’ll also spot rare sketches, archival photographs, and garments from legendary operas like Carmen, La Traviata, and Die Zauberflöte, featuring designs by visionaries like Marc Chagall and Valentina.
As Maurice Wheeler, Director of Archives, perfectly puts it: “Costumes are among the most powerful storytellers in opera. They carry the history of the company and the artistry of the stage in every stitch.”
How to view the Met archives before they return to the vault
Access to this historical runway requires a bit of planning.
The exhibit is available for public viewing exclusively to those with a ticket to any performance at the Met during the 2025–26 season.
Guests can browse the north and south galleries of Founders Hall when doors open (generally 45 minutes before curtain time), giving you the perfect, highly-exclusive pre-show activity before you take your seat.
The current selection will only be on display until June 6th, 2026, after which these delicate materials will be packed away to preserve them.
So, if you want to examine the breathtaking craftsmanship that has dressed the stage for over a century, be sure to grab your opera tickets before the season wraps!
📍 Location: Founders Hall (Concourse Level), The Metropolitan Opera House, 30 Lincoln Center Plaza
📅 When: Now through June 6, 2026
🎟️ Access: Open to all ticket holders for any 2025–26 season performance
