The Metropolitan Opera’s opening-night gala traditionally begins with the conductor of the evening, who for the last 40 years has usually been James Levine, appearing in the pit to take a bow, before leading a performance of the national anthem. But in another Met tradition, “Das Rheingold,” the first of Wagner’s “Ring” operas, begins in almost complete darkness. The conductor sneaks in, then cues the sustained low E flats in the orchestra that begin the piece so mysteriously. – from NYTimes