Ethel, Willie & Doris Selmonsky 1919

 

Left to right: Ethel, Wille and Doris Selmonsky

 

A story from Ethel Selmonsky:

When I was about 8 years old, my parents took me to the Metropolitan Opera House.  It was very exciting.  Music lovers who could not afford seats would listen to the performance while standing behind the last balcony.

When the lights dimmed, and the overture started, many of the standees ran down the aisle and sat on the stairs - enthralled by the performance as much as those in the boxes.

Mother, Father and I were quite comfortable sitting on the stairs.  But I confess that I did fall asleep during part of Tannhauser, not exactly a child’s choice.