The Metropolitan Opera will open a new production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” on Monday, Dec. 4, 2018.

The new production is hotly anticipated for a number of reasons.

First off, it represents the first opera under new Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The maestro will be doing his second run of “La Traviata” with the company. He previously conducted seven performances of the opera back in March of 2013. Moreover, for the conductor, this run will feature his sixth Live in HD performance with the company following “Carmen,” “Don Carlo,” “Faust,” “Rusalka,” and “Otello.”

The last time Nézet-Séguin conducted “La Traviata,” his soprano was Diana Damrau, who will also be headlining this run of performances. The run will be the first production that Damrau is involved with since she performed “La Traviata” in July in Munich. Since then, she canceled a high-profile run of “Les Huguenots” in Paris, among other performances. She will also appear in her fifth Live in HD performance with the company.

Juan Diego Flórez will also be making a major return to the company for the first time since 2015 when he appeared in “La Donna del Lago.” To this point, Flórez’s Met repertoire has been limited to just three composers: Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti. Now he adds his first Verdi role with the company. Moreover, this will be the Peruvian tenor’s role debut as well.

Rounding out the prominent trio will be Quinn Kelsey as Germont. He is coming off a solid set of performances in “Aida” earlier this season. Regarding his performance, OperaWire noted, “Quinn Kelsey is quickly establishing himself as the Verdi baritone of our time. Last season he was imperious as the Conte di Luna at the Met, but his Amonasro was truly a beast of nature on so many levels.”

The new production will be directed by Michael Mayer. His previous work with the Met includes new productions of “Rigoletto” and “Marnie.”