(Credit: Zenith Richards / Met Opera)

On Feb. 28, the Metropolitan Opera will present the original five-act French version of Verdi’s “Don Carlos” for the first time in the company’s history.

The opera, which will be presented eight times through March 26, will be directed by Sir. David McVicar in his 11th Met production and conducted by Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

In a statement, Nézet-Séguin noted, “The opera was composed in French, and that is evident in the way the words connect to the notes and the melodies.” The conductor previously led the Italian version in 2010 when the production by Nicholas Hytner made its Met premiere (to learn more about the different versions of the opera, click here).

Tenor Matthew Polenzani sings the title role, with soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Élisabeth de Valois who sang the role at the Paris Opera and OperaWire noted, she “delivered beautifully.  A diction to die for and a vocal precision addressing the score’s most elaborate appoggiaturas were coupled with an impressive projection, resounding lows and magnificent messa di voce in the high notes.”

They will be joined by mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton as Eboli, baritone Etienne Dupuis as Rodrigue, and bass-baritones Eric Owens and John Relyea as Philippe II and the Grand Inquisitor, respectively.

“Don Carlos” will be transmitted to cinemas around the globe as part of The Met: Live in HD series and broadcast over the Toll Brothers–Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network on March 26. Additionally, the Feb. 28 and March 18 performances will be broadcast live on Met Opera Radio on Sirius XM Channel 355 and streamed live on the Met’s website, metopera.org.