The Metropolitan Spirit

About Us

The Metropolitan Spirit celebrates the culture and life of New York as well as the artists, artisans, and people who have relished the city in tFheir work and in their lives.

The phenomenon of the Metropolitan Spirit is most keenly defined by F. Scott Fitzgerald, who wrote so lyrically about New York.  As much as any artist, Fitzgerald embodies Alfred Kazin's notion of people creating New York by living outside of the city and yearning to be part of it, wishing for something wonderful and joyous in their lives.

We hail the literature, architecture, music, and street life manifesting the ever evolving zeitgeist of New York, sometimes a zephyr breathing life into the pilgrims and denizens of the city, sometimes a full force gale spiriting wanderers homeward.

— Frank Alagno

 


 

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Photo: The Metropolitan Spirit

Walks

Some of the most magical walks in New York begin at Cedar Hill in Central Park near 5th Av. and 79th St.


Photo: The Metropolitan Spirit

Metropolitan Museum

The Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Avenue at 82nd Street breathes life and joy to visitors from around the world.


Puccini’s Turandot on PBS

Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln Center annually presents the works of Mozart, Wagner, Verdi, and Puccini.


Photo: The Metropolitan Spirit

Bandshell

Classical Music Concerts at the Bandshell in Central Park as described by E. B. White in Here is New York have been presented since 1905.


Concert Reviews

The Who played Madison Square Garden and Jones Beach Theatre.  Van Morrison returned to Forest Hills Stadium.


Photo: The Metropolitan Spirit

Writers

E. B. White and Paul Goldberger stand with F. Scott Fitzgerald as perhaps the most enchanting writers of New York.


Women of the
Beat Generation

In the 50’s a few high spirited women haunted the Beat cafes in Greenwich Village and went on to live as ex-pats in Paris.


Piazza Navona | Photo: The Metropolitan Spirit

The Streets of Rome

The Metropolitan Spirit of the Eternal City is evoked in Bob Dylan's “When I Paint My Masterpiece.”


Films

Ric Burns’ film The Center of the World  is one of the most graceful and moving responses to the events of September 1, 2001.


Photo: The Metropolitan Spirit

September 11

In the days after September 11 thousands of flyers and bulletins went up in public places around New York City.


Photo: Byron Company, MCNY

Metropolitan Spirit

F. Scott Fitzgerald recalls his experience of New York, defining the Metropolitan Spirit and his three symbols of the city.


Photo of Tallulah Bankhead by Cecil Barton, Getty Images

The Jazz Age

Fitzgerald reveals how sudden good fortune, flappers, and the midnight frolic belied the secrets of the Jazz Age.


Photo: Rothstein, Brooks, Elde, Look Magazine, LOC

The Roaring Twenties

Fitzgerald recalls how the uncertainties of the 1920’s were drowned in a steady, golden roar.


Photo of Empire State Building

Fitzgerald's Lost City

Fitzgerald reveals the significance of the Empire State Building and how he came to take leave of the city he loved.

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The Metropolitan Spirit


The Eldorado Apartments on Central Park West - Photo: The Metropolitan Spirit

About Us

The Metropolitan Spirit celebrates the culture and life of New York as well as the artists, artisans, and people who have relished the city in their work and in their lives.

The phenomenon of the Metropolitan Spirit is most keenly defined by F. Scott Fitzgerald, who wrote so lyrically about New York.  As much as any artist, Fitzgerald embodies Alfred Kazin's notion of people creating New York by living outside of the city and yearning to be part of it, wishing for something wonderful and joyous in their lives.

We hail the literature, architecture, music, and street life manifesting the ever evolving zeitgeist of New York, sometimes a zephyr breathing life into the pilgrims and denizens of the city, sometimes a full force gale spiriting wanderers homeward.

— Frank Alagno

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~ Intimations of The Metropolitan Spirit ~