PartyLines- photographs by Patrick McMullan

What did you think of the opera, Lucia Di Lammermoor, tonight? “I’m not crazy about these tragic patriarchal love stories.” —Jane Fonda

—Mayor Michael Bloomberg

In the opera, Lucia has a “mad scene.” Do you ever have one? “I could easily kill someone with these shoes.” —Cecilia Dean

—John McEnroe

Where in Brooklyn do you live? “Fort Greene. But don’t tell anybody.” —Cady Huffman

—Patty Smyth

What’s your favorite opera of all time? “I’m a slut for Madame Butterfly” —Tovah Feldshuh

—Walter Cronkite

What opera is your life most like? “I hope none, because they’re all too tragic.” —Willem Dafoe

—Mary-Louise Parker

Don’t your arms get tired? “In the last 37 years, I’ve conducted 2,500 performances of 85 operas, and my arm is still fine.” —James Levine, conductor

—Plácido Domingo

Do you surprise yourself with your sounds? “No, because I rehearse it. But I discovered ululating last year.” —Natalie Dessay, opera singer (AP)

—Blythe Danner

Which opera is your life most like? “I don’t do opera.” —Bianca Jagger

—Deborah Norville

How do you prevent your own “mad scenes”? “Anytime I’ve gotten close to feeling that way, it starts in my knees. I say, ‘Excuse me, I’ve gotta make a phone call.’” —Bob Balaban

—Georgette Mosbacher

When was your last “mad scene”? “At Le Cirque last week at a dinner for our opening boutique at Saks.” —Zac Posen

—Giada Colagrande

Who’s madder: Lucia or Ahmadinejad? “That guy wouldn’t know which end of the button to push if they had any stockpile.” —Morley Safer

—Vera Farmiga

Have you ever had a Lucia-like public meltdown? “I don’t have public meltdowns. I don’t even have private meltdowns.” —Barbara Walters