At The Met, Part 3

1949

The opening of the Metropolitan Opera House in 1949 would be the last opening Grace Vanderbilt would attend, arriving in a wheelchair. Although she didn't die in 1949, she was no longer physically able to leave her bedroom. That night, she would give her last ball, still in a wheelchair.

Rudolf Bing And Others Arriving For The Opening Of The Met, Weighed Dow By Heavy Fur Coats And Jewels

Two Ladies In White Fur Coats Attending The Opening Of The Opera 

Grace Vanderbilt Arriving For The Opening, Pushed Around By Two Men In A Wheelchair, That Would Be Grace's Last Night At The Opera

Mrs Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Arriving For The Opening, Her Husband Did Not Attend Because Of An Illness 

American Opera Singer Dorothy Kirsten And Russell Dill Pose Together At The Opening Of The Met 

The Press, As Usual, Arrived To Cover The Night 

1959

6 years after Grace Vanderbilt's death, socialites and debutantes were at the opening of The Met again. By this time, The Met had been surrounded by skyscrapers and it was becoming increasingly expensive to run the place. Because of tight funds, The Met had become, a bit stained. Nevertheless, it was still the opening of the social season. 

Attendees In Their Boxes, Waiting For The Opening Act To Start 

Rudolf Bing (seated) And Actress Marlene Dietrich, Followed By Another Man, In The Bar, Waiting For The Opening To Start

The First Act 

Mrs Frederick Weyerhaeuser Giving A Wonderful Speech

Impresario Sol Hurok Enjoying A Drink In The Lobby

Marlene And Actor Noel Coward Enjoying A Laugh

TO BE CONTINUED