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Samuel Remy and Joyce Castle were among the performers.

The opera’s new artistic director and general manager, George Steel, says he has many ideas to help the organization during the rough economic climate.

"We're going to bring wonderful artists and wonderful new productions and a great repertoire of American music and Baroque music and rediscover 19th-century music and exciting theater artists, and bring it all back to New York City Opera,” said Steel.

The theater is named for philanthropist David Koch, who donated over $100 million to renovate the Lincoln Center location. It’s the largest gift ever received by the organization.

"There's a marvelous feeling of celebration in the theater, it's almost like a coronation or a wedding,” Koch says. “Everyone is so optimistic about the future and what a powerful improvement we've accomplished here in this theater. The audience experience is going to be extraordinarily superior to what it was in the old version of the theater."

Koch, known for his infectious laugh as well as his generosity, says he had personal reasons for supporting and renovating the theater, which is also home to the New York City Ballet.

"I've probably come to this theater more than all of the theaters in New York put together for the last 43 years, so it's like a second home,” he says. “And I so enjoy the opera and ballet performances I've seen here. I wanted to do my part to make this better place and more successful."

The New York City Opera was founded by Mayor Fiorella La Guardia as the people's opera, and supporters say it remains that way today.