The Hours NYC Reviews and Tickets

88%

(193 Ratings)

Positive

93%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great singing, Absorbing, Ambitious, Great staging, Entertaining

About the Show

A modern opera adaptation of the classic 2002 film about three women finding themselves across eras.

Kevin Puts’ The Hours is adapted from Michael Cunningham’s celebrated novel of the same name, inspired by Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, and later turned into a household name through its Oscar-winning 2002 film adaptation. The timeless story follows three women from different time periods who each wrestle with their inner saboteurs and their places in their respective society.

Renée Fleming makes her long awaited return to the Met in this world-premiere production, joined by Kelli O’Hara and Joyce DiDonato.

Show-Score Member Reviews (46)

98%

Must see, Great staging, Great singing, Ambitious, Absorbing

See it if Stirring operatic adaptation of Michael Cunningham's book/film The Hours, especially if you're familiar with Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway. Brillian

Don't see it if If you don't like non-linear, intermingled multiple plot lines, or if you aren't an opera fan. Somewhat dark and themes include suicide

98%

Rejoice 2 see a fabulous new opera, 3 stories are linked to virginia woolf's, Celebrated proto-feminist novel, mrs. dalloway, 3 divas, didonato, fleming & o'hara, Sing their hearts out

See it if moving stories how queer women/those reject role as mother drivn towrds suicide; scintilatng music; cinematic choreo; big cast fine singers

Don't see it if unrelentingly grim; takes some time for the 3 stories 2 intersect but when they do the 3 divas r divine togthr

95%

Great staging, Great acting, Great singing, Exquisite, Absorbing

See it if You want to experience three incredible opera stars surrounded by a spectacular production with an Innovative use of the chorus.

Don't see it if You don't like contemporary opera as this will not be for you. You don't like 3-hour long productions with many quiet moments.

94%

Thought-provoking, Absorbing, Ambitious, Great staging, Great singing

See it if you want to experience a beautiful opera in English with top quality performances.

Don't see it if you don't like opera or intertwining stories over different time periods.

90%

Great staging, Great singing, Great acting, Exquisite, Absorbing

See it if Hearing these three great American women voices is a unique and wonderful experience. This dramatic opera also displays their great acting.

Don't see it if You don't like opera.

90%

Refreshing, Profound, Great singing, Ambitious, Absorbing

See it if you want to see an excellent contemporary opera with a profound story on identity, womanhood, and connection.

Don't see it if you are not interested in opera.

90%

Thought-provoking, Great staging, Great singing, Ambitious, Absorbing

See it if You know the book or movie, and want to see a totally fresh approach to the material, esp w the staging of the Chorus..and the singing!

Don't see it if You are an opera purist, and do not like American modern approaches

90%

Intense, Great staging, Great singing, Thought-provoking, Ambitious

See it if Incandescent singing & powerful acting overcome any difficulties of the dense, time fractured novel Puts' music radiates intensity for all

Don't see it if Pierce's libretto does wonders in keeping the fluid narrative clean but there are moments of difficult transitioning Second act feels rushed

Critic Reviews (10)

"Whirls of transparent, colorful, scintillating music, both choral and orchestral"
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" 'The Hours' is soul-stirring and a message about how time heals nothing and no one."
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For a previous production

"Every scene in the opera eventually gets to the same place musically and dramatically, whipped into soaring emotion. The tear-jerking gets tiring."
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For a previous production

" Far from being a spinoff of a spinoff, Kevin Puts’s The Hours mixes musical freshness and venerable traditions in a fine and moving music drama."
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For a previous production

"Most of the opera’s action scenes revolve around Clarissa, and their lack of musical momentum reveals the opera’s principal flaw: It has well-crafted episodes and deft, imaginative transitions, but the story arc is carried by the libretto rather than the music."
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For a previous production

"At the end of “The Hours,” you will find yourself energized by Puts’s splendid shape-shifting score, or the triple threat of its leads, or the richness of this multilayered narrative."
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For a previous production

" 'The Hours is by no means an evening of light entertainment...if you can make it to the end, you hear a remarkable trio, when the three women finally come together in a musical room of their own. Sorrow has never sounded more beautiful."
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For a previous production

"The new opera 'The Hours' is wonderful in the most old-fashioned kind of way. Not only has it been written for a diva, the show is about a diva – and in this case, three of them."
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Trailer

Creative team

The Metropolitan Opera House