Charles Edwards, director of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of 'I Puritani,' visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see Anthony van Dyck's portrait of Queen Henrietta Maria, which inspired the paintings featured in his staging. Edwards had previously recreated the portrait for the opera, exploring the emotional depth and historical context of the original work. The production uses these paintings to reflect the heroine Elvira's psychological turmoil, drawing connections between art, history, and character. Meanwhile, New York City saw a notable drop in murders in 2025, but reported rapes increased, partly due to changes in state law. Police officials attributed the decline in shootings and major crimes to targeted patrol strategies, setting a new baseline for the city's public safety efforts.