Testimonials

Marianne Bethke

Met Opera Chandeliers

Dear Metropolitan Opera,

As a Canadian teenager, I started listening to the Metropolitan’s radio broadcasts in the 1950’s. I was drawn to beautiful voices, portraying fascinating characters and telling gripping stories, but I had to rely on my own imagination to “see” Renata Tebaldi’s Mimi or Mario del Monaco’s Otello. Over the years, my familiarity and love for the music deepened but the live, visual experience continued to elude me because my life did not accommodate trips to New York.

All that changed in March 1997, my first opera weekend at the Met. What an exhilarating experience that was, when all those mental images became reality! The majesty of Lincoln Center, the inspiring artistry of the Chagall murals, the simple elegance of the house, the sparkle of the chandeliers, and the famed gold curtain. And when it went up, my life was enriched forever.

For me, the intensity of the emotional experience of a Met performance is now made complete by seeing it coming to life. Considering the immeasurable enjoyment I have received, how could I not want to give something in return? The Encore Society has given me the ideal way to express my gratitude.

Thank you, Metropolitan Opera.

By naming the Metropolitan Opera as the beneficiary of her retirement plan, Dr. Bethke made a very tax-wise decision. She has potentially saved her heirs two taxes – estate and income. Even if the estate tax is repealed, her heirs would still have had to pay income tax on the proceeds from her retirement plan. If the Met has been part of your past, please join Dr. Bethke and be a part of its future. To learn more, please write, or call 212-870-7388.

The Encore Society
The Metopolitan Opera
Lincoln Center, New York, NY 10023
212-870-7388
e-mail: encoresociety@mail.metopera.org.