Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Season: The Singers We Will Miss Next Year

By David Salazar

Every season brings new surprises, some of which may be of the disappointing variety. In disappointment, we mean singers that we love and treasure but are unable to see get the proper representation. Here is a look at the singers that were shockingly left off the roster this year.

Diana Damrau: It may not have been the perfect 2016-17 season for the German soprano, due to her illness, but she still garnered adoration for her work in “Roméo et Juliette” and for her first performance in “I Puritani.” She has been a fixture at the Met every single season since her debut in 2005, often singing more than one opera.

Juan Diego Flórez: The Peruvian tenor has not been a lock at the Met of late, limiting his appearances at the Met. That said it will now be three-straight seasons without Flórez, his last performance coming in March 2015 in “La Donna del Lago.” He will be at the 50th Anniversary gala, but his absence from a production is still difficult to process.

Ana María Martinez: The soprano had a huge breakout in “Madama Butterfly” last season at the Met and is one of the most popular singers in the world at this moment. The fact that she has not seemingly managed a foothold at the Met is quite shocking.

Lawrence Brownlee: The American tenor has been the go-to for most Rossini operas at the Met. With only “Semiramide” at the Met next season and Javier Camarena as the choice for the role of Idreno, Brownlee will now be missing his second straight season at the Metropolitan Opera after three straight seasons.

Nina Stemme: It has been two whirlwind seasons for the Swedish soprano. She returned to the house after many years of absence in 2015-16 in “Turandot” and “Elektra” before opening the 2016-17 season in “Tristan und Isolde.” It seemed like she was going to continue building momentum at the famed house, but for now we wait to see if and when she makes her return.

Barbara Fritolli: For years Frittoli was a fixture at the Met getting HD productions in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” and “La Clemenza di Tito,” but for the last two seasons the soprano has gone missing. The 2017-18 season is no different.

Thomas Hampson: One of the Met’s most popular artists, Hampson has been at the Met for almost every single season since Peter Gelb took over the company. Hampson is retiring the production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” this season and he will be featured in the Met’s Live in HD series.

Patricia Racette: Racette has been one of the biggest stars at the Metropolitan Opera for many years. Her recent “Salome” at the Met obtained rave reviews and she will be returning to the house for “Cyrano de Bergerac.” There are many roles she could potentially have been cast in but the Met’s decision is quite shocking.

Karita Matilla: The 2016-17 season was Mattila’s return to the Met stage and after such a huge success in “Jenufa,” it seemed like audiences would get more of Mattila. However, Met audiences will have to wait another few years to see the Finnish soprano again.

Tamara Wilson: After such a triumphant Richard Tucker Gala, it was expected that Mumford would make a splash at the Met. However, it seems New York audiences will have to wait a few more seasons to finally here the American soprano.

Elina Garanca: In recent seasons Garanca has been a huge asset for the Metropolitan Opera as she has been featured in Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux” and she will be starring in a new production of Strauss'”Der Rosenkavalier.” The mezzo is making waves in Europe as she is showcasing some of her newest roles including Santuzza in “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Leonore in “La Favorite.” As a result it is somewhat of a mystery that Garanca does not show up in any of this season’s program.

 

Which singer will you miss most next season?

Diana Damrau
Juan Diego Florez
Karita Matilla
Patricia Racette
Nina Stemme
Thomas Hampson
Tamara Mumford
Ana Maria Martinez
Lawrence Brownlee
Barbara Frittoli
Elina Garanca
Other

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Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Season