By DANIEL J. WAKIN [NY Times, 30 April 2006]

NEARLY 700 opera supporters crowded the grand ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria this month at a lovefest for Joseph Volpe, the general manager of the Metropolitan Opera who is retiring this season. Anna Netrebko and Mariusz Kwiecien serenaded him. Renée Fleming gave a gracefully barbed but affectionate tribute to Mr. Volpe, a famously demanding impresario. At the end, singing luminaries from four decades of Met history crowded the stage and gave him warm hugs.