The Metropolitan Opera has long been overdue for Sunday matinées. While Peter Gelb is anticipating new audiences it is my belief that – like the HD broadcasts – it will be also favored by growth among current audiences: Suburbanites. Many suburbanites worry about being able to catch the last train to Scarsdale or Sag Harbor after late curtains on weeknights. This was why the performance start time was moved back to 7:30 a few seasons ago. However, 30-minute intermissions (presumably to enable more business for the bars and the gift shop) have eaten up much of the difference; curtain calls have not been correspondingly earlier, especially for longer works. Presenting works such as Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg on Sunday afternoons will work very well. Families. If the Met will use this opportunity to present “family-friendly” titles Mr Gelb can anticipate more children who will eventually become adult opera lovers. Working Adults. More of this