Stephen Nessen

Monday's opening night of the Metropolitan Opera brought the traditional red carpet, gussied-up celebrity guests and a parade of arriving singers.

Demonstrators marked the start of the Metropolitan Opera's season on Monday evening by protesting the planned production of The Death of Klinghoffer.

On Thursday morning, composer Magnus Lindberg and the New York Philharmonic held the final rehearsal before the New York premiere of his 1985 industrial work Kraft. That piece features an arsenal of noise-making instruments augmented by various found objects, including scrap metal, an oxygen tank and other junk, all of which were picked up from a Staten Island junkyard.

Found sound is a staple of some experimental music that ends up in clubs and galleries, and other alternative spaces. But on a recent Friday, Magnus Lindberg, the New York Philharmonic's composer in residence, and several percussionists, were scouring a salvage yard on Staten Island for local junk that will be played at Avery Fisher Hall in October.

Kagan would the first person in decades to join the Court without first becoming a judge.

Former New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno has been sentenced to two years in prison.

The themes of Obama's speech? Jobs, spending and the economy.

Apple has posted its most profitable quarter ever. In the last three months of 2009, the company sold twice as many iPhones and 33 percent more computers than the same quarter last year.

Parents of elementary school children in New York City are receiving swine flu vaccine consent forms this week. The citywide voluntary - and free - vaccine program is starting next Wednesday at local elementary schools.