The Metropolitan Opera revived Bartlett Sher’s production of “Roméo et Juliette” for the first time since 2018. As always, Gounod’s famed masterpiece is all about its two titular characters, the opera designed to explore the dynamics of the lovers amidst the larger feud between their warring families. Painting with Vocal Colors The Met Opera nailed its casting of Benjamin Bernheim {…}
The 2024 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition has announced the finalists. The finals will be held on March 17 at 3 p.m. and will be hosted by Denyce Graves and there will be a special performance from bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green. Finalists were chosen by a panel of judges comprising artistic leaders from the Met and other companies. {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond) Great Performances at the Met is set to showcase Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally’s “Dead Man Walking” on March 15, 2024. The opera stars Joyce DiDonato, Ryan McKinny, Latonia Moore, and Susan Graham. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts this Metropolitan Opera premiere while Ivo Van Hove directs the production. Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens hosts the broadcast. {…}
(Credit: Steven Harris ) The Metropolitan Opera has announced its first-ever Met Orchestra Asia tour, which will take place between June 19-30, 2024 in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. One program features music from “Der Fliegende Holländer,” “Pelléas et Mélisande,” and the entirety of “Bluebeard’s Castle,” starring Elīna Garanča and Christian Van Horn. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts. Performance Date: June 19 (Seoul), June {…}
Works & Process is set to present “The Metropolitan Opera: El Niño by John Adams” on Monday, April 1, 2024 at 7 p..m. at the Peter B. Lewis theater in New York. The event will feature a discussion with members of the creative team and cast members who will perform highlights from Adams‘ score. Met Opera general manager Peter Gelb {…}
The Metropolitan Opera is set to present Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette” for seven performances. The opera, which opens on March 7 and runs through March 30, is set to star Nadine Sierra and Benjamin Bernheim. The production also features Samantha Hankey, Will Liverman, Frederick Ballentine, and Alfred Walker. Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the production by Bartlet Sher. which had {…}
On Feb. 27, the Metropolitan Opera inaugurated an exhibition of five costumes worn by soprano Victoria de los Ángeles. The exhibition coincided with the opening of “Madama Butterfly,” a role that she performed 23 times at the Met. The exhibition includes two kimonos and umbrellas from de los Ángeles’ 1955 Cio-Cio-San. The exhibition also includes the soprano’s costumes of Marguerite {…}
(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera)) The Metropolitan Opera has announced the semifinalists for its 2024 Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition. The semifinals are slated for March 11, 2024, starting at 10 a.m. on the Met stage. Audiences will be able to stream them on the Met Opera’s official website. Here is a rundown of the semifinalists: Name Voice Type {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond) It’s been a long time since “La Forza del Destino” got a chance on the Met stage. To be exact, it’s been about 18 years. Back then, in 2006, the Verdi melodrama was presented in an imposing traditionally-set production with a cast of Italianate voices. It was supposed to return a decade later in a new production {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard) The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its production of “Madama Butterfly.” The company said that Aleksandra Kurzak will sing the title role replacing Eleonora Buratto for performances on Feb. 27, March 2, 6, 9, and 14 2024. Kurzak performed the first six performances of the run in January. She scored rave reviews with critics {…}
The Metropolitan Opera’s 2024-25 season was announced but due to financial constraints, the company delayed one major production previously announced. In an interview with The New York Times, the company noted that Claus Guth’s production of Händel’s “Semele” will be delayed for a future season. The company also noted that previously delayed stagings on track for future seasons include Bellini’s {…}