On June 14, 2024, the Metropolitan Opera presented its second program to its Carnegie Hall series which is set to go on tour later this month. The program combined the works of Wagner, Debussy, and Bartók. The result was an uneven opening half and a second half that was perhaps one of the best operatic performances of the entire Met {…}
The Metropolitan Opera revealed its finances for 2023-24 season, including the fact that it had sold 72 percent of available tickets. The number was up from the previous season which only saw 66 percent of available tickets sold. While overall there was a positive rise in ticket sales, the company has not fully recovered from prepandemic numbers which saw 75 {…}
(Credit: Nina Wurtzel / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera honored Donald Palumbo with a Golden Ticket on June 8, 2024. The company took to social media and said, “Maestro Donald Palumbo has been a pillar at the Met for 17 years, and his legacy is one that commands great respect. Yesterday, after his final performance as the Met’s Chorus Master, {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2024 Summer HD Festival. the company will present HD recordings on the Lincoln Center Plaza from August 23, through September 2. The free festival will feature ten screenings from the Met’s celebrated Live in HD series and will also include a special screening of the 1998 film “The Red Violin,” directed by François Girard {…}
(Photos: Evan Zimmerman / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera presented the tenth performance of composer Kevin Puts’s “The Hours,” with libretto by Greg Pierce, on Friday, May 10th 2024. In November 2022, OperaWire reviewed “The Hours” debut with great attention towards how the opera came to the Met, including Kevin Puts’s score, Greg Pierce’s libretto, and the undeniable beauty of the {…}
(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 {…}
(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 {…}
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 {…}
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 {…}
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 {…}
(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 {…}