Metropolitan Opera 2015-16 Opening Night: Helen Mirren, Jessica Chastain and Anna Netrebko Grace Red Carpet

The Metropolitan Opera held its opening night on Sept. 21 with Verdi's "Otello" in a new production by Bartlett Sher.

The production starred a new youthful cast that included Latvian tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko, Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva and Serbian Baritone Zeljko Lucic. The main event was definitely the music and the art, but the Met's glamorous evening brought some of Hollywood's most popular stars.

Oscar winner Helen Mirren arrived with her husband Taylor Hackford early on, and former *NSYNC member Lance Bass also attended the evening with Lilliana Vazquez.

Patricia Clarkson, who has become a mainstay at the Met, was also present, and she greeted the media and press, stating it was the evening she always looked forward to every year.

Actress Bette Midler also arrived on the red carpet as well as Brooke Shields and Jill Hennessy. Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain also made an entrance. The actress had just arrived from Toronto, where her latest film "The Martian" premiered. She was also in town promoting her next film "Crimson Peak" by Guillermo del Toro. Actor Alexander Skarsgard also made a surprised entrance at the glamorous event.

Other celebrities included donor Mercedes Bass, Actor Paul Sorvino, Oscar nominee Ellen Burstyn, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.

Julie Taymor was also present with her husband. The director previously helmed an acclaimed production of the Mozart's "The Magic Flute" at the Met.

With all the Hollywood celebrity there was also no shortage of opera's royalty. Star soprano Renee Fleming graced the red carpet as well as Bass Ildar Abdrazakov. Fleming will not be singing at the Met this year, but the Met will pay tribute to her career in a one night event. Meanwhile Abdrazakov is in town rehearsing the role of Enrico in the upcoming production of Donizetti's "Anna Bolena."

Superstar Anna Netrebko also attended the performance with her fiancé tenor Yusif Eyvazov. The soprano is slated to sing the role of Leonora in Verdi's "Il Trovatore," while her fiancé will be singing the role of Calaf in Puccini's "Turandot" for his Met debut.

The opening night gala was screened in Times Square where over 2,000 seats were available for spectators.