Angel Blue, Sonya Yoncheva, Michael Fabiano, Joyce DiDonato, Juan Diego Flórez Headline Metropolitan Opera’s 2024 ‘Live in HD’ Summer Encores

(Credit: Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2024 Live in HD Summer Encores. First up is “La Bohème” starring Sonya Yoncheva, Michael Fabiano, Susanna Phillips, Lucas Meachem, Matthew Rose, and Alexey Lavrov. Marco Armiliato conducted the 2018 transmission. Screening Date: July 24, 2024 Then comes the 2014 production of “La Cenerentola” starring Joyce DiDonato and {…}

Apr 29, 2024

Metropolitan Opera 2023-24 Review: Madama Butterfly

(Photo: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera has been performing Anthony Minghella’s sumptuous production of “Madama Butterfly” for so long now it’s almost a comfort watch – were it not for the unerringly bleak plot – in its familiarity. It’s become a staple of New York’s stages since ads showcasing the flowing colors of the staging blanketed the {…}

Apr 28, 2024

Metropolitan Opera Confirms ‘Jenůfa’ & ‘Salome’ with Asmik Grigorian in Future Seasons

The Metropolitan Opera has confirmed that Asmik Grigorian will be back following her debut in “Madama Butterfly.” In an interview with the AP News, the company noted that in future seasons the Lithuanian soprano is set to perform Strauss’ “Salome” and Janacek’s “Jenůfa.” Grigorian has performed both operas to great reviews. Regarding her “Salome” critics have stated, “she sings with {…}

Apr 26, 2024

Metropolitan Opera Announces Cast Change for ‘Madama Butterfly’

The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its performance of “Madama Butterfly” on April 26, 2024. Jonathan Tetelman withdrew from the performance and took to social media and said, “I’m very sorry to report that I am still unwell and must withdraw from my ‘Madama Butterfly’ appearance at the Met Opera tonight. I’m greatly looking forward to returning {…}

Apr 23, 2024

Metropolitan Opera Announces 2024 Summer Recital Series

The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2024 Summer Recital Series. The series will celebrate its 15th anniversary and will open on June 18. This year there will be five free outdoor recitals throughout New York City presented in collaboration with Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage. The first concert will take place at SummerStage in Central Park in Manhattan and {…}

Apr 3, 2024

Metropolitan Opera Names Next Chorus Director

(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Tilman Michael will be its next Chorus Director. Michael, who has been Chorus Master of the Frankfurt Opera since 2014-15, will take over for Donald Palumbo at the start of the 2024-25 season. Per an official press release issued by the Met, Michael was picked by Music Director {…}

Mar 30, 2024

Metropolitan Opera Announces Cast Change for ‘Romeo et Juliette’

The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its final performance of Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette” on March 30. The company said that the role of Juliette will be sung by So Young Park replacing Nadine Sierra. Park made her Met debut in 2019 as the Queen of the Night in “The Magic Flute.” She has performed at the {…}

Mar 27, 2024

Metropolitan Opera 2023-24 Review: La Rondine

It’s been 10 years since Puccini’s “La Rondine” has been performed at the Metropolitan Opera. The work is a light Puccini opera that is sometimes compared to an operetta and has been performed a total of 34 times at the famed house. In the past, it has often been brought to the company at the behest of a Diva who {…}

Mar 21, 2024

Metropolitan Opera Announces Kyiv Camerata Concert in Carnegie Hall

The Metropolitan Opera has announced a concert by the Kyiv Camerata, Ukraine’s leading chamber ensemble on April 28 at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall. The concert will showcase the ensemble in the United States for the first time since 1998 and they will perform an all-Ukrainian program of North American premieres conducted by Keri-Lynn Wilson featuring acclaimed mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and {…}

Mar 20, 2024

Metropolitan Opera Production Elevator Malfunctions Before ‘Turandot’ Performance

On March 20, 2024, the Metropolitan Opera was forced to present Puccini’s “Turandot” in a sem-staged version after a stage elevator jammed. According to the Associated Press, Met General Manager Peter Gelb made an announcement before the performance stating, “I’m sorry to say that this is not going to be a normal night at the opera — not that when {…}

Mar 18, 2024

Benjamin Bernheim & Nadine Sierra Headline Metropolitan Opera’s ‘Roméo et Juliette’ in HD

The Metropolitan Opera is set to present Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” in its Live in HD series on March 23. The production by Bartlett Sher will star Nadine Sierra and Benjamin Bernheim and will be conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin The production also stars mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey as Stéphano and baritone Will Liverman as Mercutio. Rounding out the principal cast are {…}