Puccini
Original Air Date: 11/21/2019
Armiliato; Pérez, Kulchynska, Polenzani, Bizic, Zhilikhovsky, Park, Woodley
SID.19470000
AKHNATEN:Glass
Original Air Date: 11/23/2019
Karen Kamensek: Anthony Roth Costanzo, J’Nai Bridges, Dísella Lárusdóttir, Aaron Blake
Live in HD SID.19470600
Mozart
Original Air Date: 11/26/2019
Manacorda; Phillips, Sierra, Arquez, Bishop, Plachetka, Pisaroni, Sherratt
SID.19480000
Tchaikovsky
Original Air Date: 11/29/2019
Petrenko; Davidsen, Maximova, Diadkova, Antonenko, Golovatenko, Markov
SID.19480000
Wagner
Nézet-Séguin; Volle, Wagner, Glueckert, Selig
Original Air Date: 04/29/2017
SID.19490210
LIVE BROADCAST
Wagner
Nézet-Séguin; Volle, Wagner, Glueckert, Selig
Original Air Date: 04/29/2017
SID.19490426
LIVE BROADCAST
Tchaikovsky
Original Air Date: 12/05/2019
Petrenko; Davidsen, Maximova, Diadkova, Antonenko, Golovatenko, Markov
SID.19490000
Tchaikovsky’s eerie thriller of imperial Russia has its first performances at the Met since 2011. Tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko is Hermann, the fanatical gambler whose obsession with a powerful secret drives him to madness. Soprano Lise Davidsen makes her highly anticipated Met debut as his long-suffering lover, Lisa, with mezzo-soprano Larissa Diadkova as the otherworldly Countess. Baritone Igor Golovatenko is Yeletsky, baritone Alexey Markov is Tomsky, and Vasily Petrenko conducts.
AKHNATEN:Glass
Kamensek; Larusdottir, Bridges, Costanzo, Blake, Liverman, Bernstein, James
Original Air Date: 12/07/2019
SID.19490639
First Intermission
Mary Jo Heath interviews General Manager Peter Gelb about the 2019-20120 season.
Philip Glass Feature
Mary Jo Heath interviews Maestro Karen Kamensek
Second Intermission
Backstage Pass #1 – Loren Toolajian interviews Anthony Roth Costanzo
Backstage Pass #2 – Loren Toolajian interviews Dísella Lárusdóttir, J’Nai Bridges, and Zachery James
Lise Davidsen Feature
Wagner
Nézet-Séguin; Volle, Wagner, Glueckert, Selig
Original Air Date: 04/29/2017
SID.19490642
LIVE BROADCAST
Strauss
Original Air Date: 12/13/2019
Rattle; Nylund, Kožená, Schultz, Goeldner, Polenzani, Ebenstein, Eiche, Groissböck
SID.19500000
Robert Carsen’s splendid staging returns for the first time since its blockbuster 2017 premiere, with Sir Simon Rattle on the podium to conduct Strauss’s glittering score. Star soprano Camilla Nylund is the worldly Marschallin, with the outstanding mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená as her exuberant young lover, Octavian. Bass Günther Groissböck reprises his definitive take on the lascivious Baron Ochs, and rising soprano Golda Schultz sings the innocent Sophie.
THE QUEEN OF SPADES:Tchaikovsky
Petrenko; Davidsen, Maximova, Diadkova, Antonenko, Golovatenko, Markov
Original Air Date: 12/14/2019
SID.19500639
Tchaikovsky’s eerie thriller of imperial Russia has its first performances at the Met since 2011. Tenor Yusif Eyvazovis Hermann, the fanatical gambler whose obsession with a powerful secret drives him to madness. Soprano Lise Davidsen makes her highly anticipated Met debut as his long-suffering lover, Lisa, with mezzo-soprano Larissa Diadkova as the otherworldly Countess. Baritone Igor Golovatenko is Yeletsky, baritone Alexey Markov is Tomsky, and Vasily Petrenko conducts.
The Sunday matinee performance on December 8 will feature a post-performance discussion with Lise Davidsen and Yusif Eyvazov, hosted by Met General Manager Peter Gelb.
Single Intermission
Backstage Pass #1 – Mary Jo Heath interviews Yusif Eyvazov
Backstage Pass #2 – Mary Jo Heath interviews Lise Davidsen
The Magic Flute Promotion – Mary Jo Heath interviews David Portillo, our Tamino
Mozart
Original Air Date: 12/19/2019
Koenigs; Harvey, Lewek, Portillo, Rosel, Hopkins, Carfizzi, Robinson
SID.19510000
A beloved holiday tradition continues as Mozart’s delightful fairy tale returns in the Met’s abridged, English-language version for families, perfect for younger audiences, with no intermission and a running time of less than two hours. Lothar Koenigs conducts a dynamic cast of standout Mozarteans in Julie Taymor’s magical production, an enduring Met classic with its eye-popping puppetry and stunning visuals.
Verdi
Armiliato; Netrebko, Polenzani, Domingo, Abdrazakov
Original Air Date: 12/21/2019
SID.19510639
Soprano Anna Netrebko created a sensation when she made her Met role debut as Lady Macbeth in 2014, opposite baritone Željko Lučić in the title role. Now, the two stars reunite to reprise their acclaimed portrayals in Verdi’s gripping Shakespeare adaptation. Marco Armiliato conducts a standout cast that also features tenor Matthew Polenzani as Macduff and bass Ildar Abdrazakov as Banquo, in Adrian Noble’s evocative production.
Single Intermission
Mary Jo Heath interviews Anna Netrebko
Mary Jo Heath interviews Željko Lučić
Mary Jo Heath interviews Sir Simon Rattle
Berg
Original Air Date: 12/27/2019
Nézet-Séguin; van den Heever, Mumford, Ventris, Siegel, Staples, Mattei, Van Horn
SID.19520000
After wowing audiences with his astounding production of Lulu in 2015, South African artist William Kentridge now focuses his extraordinary visual imagination on Berg’s other operatic masterpiece, set in an apocalyptic pre–World War I environment. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin is on the podium for this important event, with baritone Peter Mattei making his highly anticipated role debut as the title character. Soprano Elza van den Heever is Wozzeck’s unfaithful mate, and the commanding cast also includes tenor Christopher Ventris as the Drum-Major, bass-baritone Christian Van Horn as the Doctor, and tenor Gerhard Siegel as the Captain.
Mozart
Koenigs; Fang, Lewek, Portillo, Rosel, Hopkins, Carfizzi, Howard
Original Air Date: 12/28/2019
SID.19520640
“A beloved holiday tradition continues as Mozart’s delightful fairy tale returns in the Met’s abridged, English-language version for families, perfect for younger audiences, with no intermission and a running time of less than two hours. Lothar Koenigs conducts a dynamic cast of standout Mozarteans in Julie Taymor’s magical production, an enduring Met classic with its eye-popping puppetry and stunning visuals.
On Saturday, December 28, all ticket holders for the 1 PM matinee of The Magic Flute are invited to a free pre-performance open house beginning at 11 AM. Met artists and craftspeople lead a variety of hands-on activities and demonstrations for the whole family.”
NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA: ANNA NETREBKO:Puccini
Nézet-Séguin; Netrebko, Polenzani, Kelsey, Luciano, Van Horn, Woodley, Netrebko, Eyvazov, Nikitin, Carfizzi, Netrebko, Eyvazov
Original Air Date: 12/31/2019
SID.20010213
In an unprecedented program to celebrate the new year, Anna Netrebko pulls out all the Puccini stops, starring as Mimì, Tosca, and Turandot in one gala evening. The star soprano will sing Act I of La Bohème, opposite tenor Matthew Polenzani, and Act I of Tosca and Act II of Turandot, opposite tenor Yusif Eyvazov. Conducted by Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and featuring an outstanding cast that also includes baritones Quinn Kelsey and Davide Luciano, and bass-baritones Evgeny Nikitin and Christian Van Horn, this will be an evening not to be missed. Each of the acts will be fully staged and costumed in the respective (and spectacular) Zeffirelli and McVicar productions.
DER ROSENKAVALIER:Strauss
Rattle; Nylund, Kožená, Schultz, Goeldner, Polenzani, Ebenstein, Eiche, Groissböck
Original Air Date: 01/04/2020
SID.20010639
Robert Carsen’s splendid staging returns for the first time since its blockbuster 2017 premiere, with Sir Simon Rattle on the podium to conduct Strauss’s glittering score. Star soprano Camilla Nylund is the worldly Marschallin, with the outstanding mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená as her exuberant young lover, Octavian. Bass Günther Groissböck reprises his definitive take on the lascivious Baron Ochs, and rising soprano Golda Schultz sings the innocent Sophie. A co-production of the Metropolitan Opera; Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London; Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires; and Teatro Regio di Torino
DIE WALKÜRE:Wagner
Levine; Eaglen, Morris, Voigt, Domingo, Schwarz, Halfvarson
Original Air Date: 04/01/2000
MOD Audio
SID.20020103
RWW: This is also on MOoD and catches some erratic artists at their best. Schwarz who shines in the Chereau Ring is still a potent force 12 years later in this broadcast. Vocally, this is one of the better Levine Walkures even though Morris and Domingo are the only ones I am particularly interested in. SR: A solid Walkuere expertly paced by Levine. In the house, Eaglen struck me as a particularly ungenerous Bruennhilde, saving her resources for some eventuality. (She only really opened up in the Siegfried awakening scene). On broadcast, however, this isn’t as noticeable except in contrast to Voigt, who pours it on when called for. Domingo still has the goods as her brother. Morris shows why he was the Met’s Wotan of choice for so many years. Schwarz is dependable while not erasing memories of Ludwig, while Halfvarson was a delightful surprise as Hunding.
DIE WALKÜRE:Wagner
Levine; Eaglen, Morris, Voigt, Domingo, Schwarz, Halfvarson
Original Air Date: 04/01/2000
MOD Audio
SID.20020104
RWW: This is also on MOoD and catches some erratic artists at their best. Schwarz who shines in the Chereau Ring is still a potent force 12 years later in this broadcast. Vocally, this is one of the better Levine Walkures even though Morris and Domingo are the only ones I am particularly interested in. SR: A solid Walkuere expertly paced by Levine. In the house, Eaglen struck me as a particularly ungenerous Bruennhilde, saving her resources for some eventuality. (She only really opened up in the Siegfried awakening scene). On broadcast, however, this isn’t as noticeable except in contrast to Voigt, who pours it on when called for. Domingo still has the goods as her brother. Morris shows why he was the Met’s Wotan of choice for so many years. Schwarz is dependable while not erasing memories of Ludwig, while Halfvarson was a delightful surprise as Hunding.
DIE WALKÜRE:Wagner
Levine; Eaglen, Morris, Voigt, Domingo, Schwarz, Halfvarson
Original Air Date: 04/01/2000
MOD Audio
SID.20020319
RWW: This is also on MOoD and catches some erratic artists at their best. Schwarz who shines in the Chereau Ring is still a potent force 12 years later in this broadcast. Vocally, this is one of the better Levine Walkures even though Morris and Domingo are the only ones I am particularly interested in. SR: A solid Walkuere expertly paced by Levine. In the house, Eaglen struck me as a particularly ungenerous Bruennhilde, saving her resources for some eventuality. (She only really opened up in the Siegfried awakening scene). On broadcast, however, this isn’t as noticeable except in contrast to Voigt, who pours it on when called for. Domingo still has the goods as her brother. Morris shows why he was the Met’s Wotan of choice for so many years. Schwarz is dependable while not erasing memories of Ludwig, while Halfvarson was a delightful surprise as Hunding.
DIE WALKÜRE:Wagner
Levine; Eaglen, Morris, Voigt, Domingo, Schwarz, Halfvarson
Original Air Date: 04/01/2000
MOD Audio
SID.20020320
RWW: This is also on MOoD and catches some erratic artists at their best. Schwarz who shines in the Chereau Ring is still a potent force 12 years later in this broadcast. Vocally, this is one of the better Levine Walkures even though Morris and Domingo are the only ones I am particularly interested in. SR: A solid Walkuere expertly paced by Levine. In the house, Eaglen struck me as a particularly ungenerous Bruennhilde, saving her resources for some eventuality. (She only really opened up in the Siegfried awakening scene). On broadcast, however, this isn’t as noticeable except in contrast to Voigt, who pours it on when called for. Domingo still has the goods as her brother. Morris shows why he was the Met’s Wotan of choice for so many years. Schwarz is dependable while not erasing memories of Ludwig, while Halfvarson was a delightful surprise as Hunding.
Verdi
Original Air Date: 01/10/2020
Chichon; Kurzak, Popov, Kelsey
SID.20020000
Michael Mayer’s sumptuous staging, a highlight of the 2018–19 season, returns with two casts of bright stars. Sopranos Aleksandra Kurzak and Lisette Oropesa share the role of Violetta, the opera’s tragic heroine, opposite tenor Dmytro Popov as her ardent lover, Alfredo, and baritones Quinn Kelsey and Luca Salsi as Alfredo’s stern father, Germont. Karel Mark Chichon and Bertrand de Billy conduct one of opera’s greatest scores.
DIE WALKÜRE:Wagner
Levine; Eaglen, Morris, Voigt, Domingo, Schwarz, Halfvarson
Original Air Date: 04/01/2000
MOD Audio
SID.20020636
RWW: This is also on MOoD and catches some erratic artists at their best. Schwarz who shines in the Chereau Ring is still a potent force 12 years later in this broadcast. Vocally, this is one of the better Levine Walkures even though Morris and Domingo are the only ones I am particularly interested in. SR: A solid Walkuere expertly paced by Levine. In the house, Eaglen struck me as a particularly ungenerous Bruennhilde, saving her resources for some eventuality. (She only really opened up in the Siegfried awakening scene). On broadcast, however, this isn’t as noticeable except in contrast to Voigt, who pours it on when called for. Domingo still has the goods as her brother. Morris shows why he was the Met’s Wotan of choice for so many years. Schwarz is dependable while not erasing memories of Ludwig, while Halfvarson was a delightful surprise as Hunding.
BY GEORGE GERSHWIN, DUBOSE AND DOROTHY HEYWARD, AND IRA GERSHWIN
Robertson; Blue, Brugger, Moore, Graves, Ballentine, Owens, Walker, Singletary
Original Air Date: 01/15/2020
SID.20030321
Due to overwhelming public demand for the Met’s acclaimed new production of Porgy and Bess, three additional performances have been added to the schedule, on February 4, 12, and 15, 2020.
One of America’s favorite operas returns to the Met for the first time in nearly 30 years. James Robinson’s stylish production transports audiences to Catfish Row on the Charleston waterfront, vibrant with the music, dancing, emotion, and heartbreak of its inhabitants. “If you’re going to stage Gershwin’s opera, this is how,” raved the Guardian when the new production premiered in London in 2018. David Robertson conducts a dynamic cast, featuring the sympathetic duo of Eric Owens and Angel Blue in the title roles and an all-star ensemble that includes Janai Brugger, Latonia Moore, Denyce Graves, Frederick Ballentine, Alfred Walker, and Donovan Singletary.
The worldwide copyrights in the works of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for this presentation are licensed by the Gershwin family.
GERSHWIN is a registered trademark of Gershwin Enterprises. Porgy and Bess is a registered trademark of Porgy and Bess Enterprises.
A co-production of the Metropolitan Opera; Dutch National Opera, Amsterdam; and English National Opera
Production a gift of The Sybil B. Harrington Endowment Fund and Douglas Dockery Thomas
LA TRAVIATA:Verdi
Chichon; Kurzak, Popov, Kelsey
Original Air Date: 01/18/2020
SID.20030639
Michael Mayer’s sumptuous staging, a highlight of the 2018–19 season, returns with two casts of bright stars. Sopranos Aleksandra Kurzak and Lisette Oropesa share the role of Violetta, the opera’s tragic heroine, opposite tenors Dmytro Popov and Piero Pretti as her ardent lover, Alfredo, and baritones Quinn Kelsey and Luca Salsi as Alfredo’s stern father, Germont. Karel Mark Chichon and Bertrand de Billy conduct one of opera’s greatest scores.
FIRST INTERMISSION
Toll Brothers-Metropolitan Opera Quiz
Host: Brian Zeger
Guest: Elīna Garanča
Panelists: Ken Benson, George Preston, and
Melanie Spector
Pianist: Bénédicte Jourdois
SECOND INTERMISSION
Backstage Pass – Loren Toolajian interviews Aleksandra Kurzak
Porgy and Bess Feature
Berg
Nézet-Séguin; van den Heever, Mumford, Ventris, Siegel, Staples, Mattei, Van Horn
Original Air Date: 01/22/2020
SID.20040321
After wowing audiences with his astounding production of Lulu in 2015, South African artist William Kentridge now focuses his extraordinary visual imagination on Berg’s other operatic masterpiece, set in an apocalyptic pre–World War I environment. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin is on the podium for this important event, with baritone Peter Mattei making his highly anticipated role debut as the title character. Soprano Elza van den Heever is Wozzeck’s unfaithful mate, and the commanding cast also includes tenor Christopher Ventris as the Drum-Major, bass-baritone Christian Van Horn as the Doctor, and tenor Gerhard Siegel as the Captain. A co-production of the Metropolitan Opera; Salzburg Festival; the Canadian Opera Company, Toronto; and Opera Australia
LA BOHÈME:Puccini
Armiliato; Pérez, Kulchynska, Polenzani, Bizic, Zhilikhovsky, Park, Woodley
Original Air Date: 01/25/2020
SID.20040640
Three casts of captivating artists bring Puccini’s classic tragedy of bohemian friends and lovers to life in Franco Zeffirelli’s immortal staging. Tenors Matthew Polenzani, Roberto Alagna, and Joseph Calleja trade off as the exuberant Rodolfo, alongside sopranos Ailyn Pérez, Hei-Kyung Hong, and Maria Agresta as the fragile Mimì. Marco Armiliato and Emmanuel Villaume share conducting duties.
First Intermission
Backstage Pass #1 – Loren Toolajian interviews Ailyn Pérez and Matthew Polenzani
Mary Jo Heath interviews Maestro Edward Gardner about La Damnation de Faust
Second Intermission
Backstage Pass #2 – Loren Toolajian interviews Olga Kulchynska and David Bizic
Berlioz
Original Air Date: 01/29/2020
Gardner; Garanca, Hymel, Abdrazakov
SID.20050000
LA DAMNATION DE FAUST:Berlioz
Gardner; Garanca, Hymel, Abdrazakov
Original Air Date: 01/29/2020
SID.20050321
Berlioz’s compelling take on the Faust legend returns for the first time in a decade, with an ideal lineup of stars. High-flying tenors Bryan Hymel and Michael Spyres sing the doomed and besotted Faust, opposite dazzling mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča as the forsaken Marguerite and bass Ildar Abdrazakov as the malevolent Méphistophélès. Edward Gardner conducts. Please note that these are concert presentations on the Met stage. The decision to present La Damnation de Faust in its more usual concert version is driven by the unanticipated technical demands of reviving the Met’s staged production, which proved to be impossible to accommodate within the company’s production schedule.
LA DAMNATION DE FAUST:Berlioz
Gardner; Garanca, Hymel, Abdrazakov
Original Air Date: 01/29/2020
SID.20050321
Berlioz’s compelling take on the Faust legend returns for the first time in a decade, with an ideal lineup of stars. High-flying tenors Bryan Hymel and Michael Spyres sing the doomed and besotted Faust, opposite dazzling mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča as the forsaken Marguerite and bass Ildar Abdrazakov as the malevolent Méphistophélès. Edward Gardner conducts. Please note that these are concert presentations on the Met stage. The decision to present La Damnation de Faust in its more usual concert version is driven by the unanticipated technical demands of reviving the Met’s staged production, which proved to be impossible to accommodate within the company’s production schedule.