2019 Summer HD Festival

In this 11th year, over ten nights performances from the Met’s Live in HD series will be shown starting with a screening of FUNNY FACE in a special co-presentation with Film at Lincoln Center.   Screenings run from August 23 through September 2.  There will be 3000 seats in the Plaza in front of the Opera House with an additional standing room area. Cancellations due to thunder/lighting or high wind will not be rescheduled. 

Sep
11
Wed
2019
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Sep 11 @ 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM

LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Original Air Date: 03/27/1982
Chailly; Domingo, Morris, Welting, Troyanos, Eda-Pierre, Howells
MOD Audio SID.19370316

This is Chailly’s only Met appearance, and is the premiere year of the Schenk, Schneider-Siemssen production. I’m surprised this performance is not the one in MOoD instead of the Levine from 1993. Much as I like Vaness and Held, an 11 year younger Domingo with the above cast (and especially Senechal) would seem more likely. Still, this performance is a welcome choice for the Sirius rotation (it’s not often included).

Sep
13
Fri
2019
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Sep 13 @ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Offenbach
Original Air Date: 03/27/1982
Chailly; Domingo, Morris, Welting, Troyanos, Eda-Pierre, Howells
MOD Audio SID.19370532
This is Chailly’s only Met appearance, and is the premiere year of the Schenk, Schneider-Siemssen production. I’m surprised this performance is not the one in MOoD instead of the Levine from 1993. Much as I like Vaness and Held, an 11 year younger Domingo with the above cast (and especially Senechal) would seem more likely. Still, this performance is a welcome choice for the Sirius rotation (it’s not new this week, but not often included).

Oct
15
Tue
2019
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Oct 15 @ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Rudel; Kraus, Malfitano, Morris, Bybee
Original Air Date: 01/26/1985

SID.19420210
I always liked Kraus in the title role, and though Domingo, Shicoff, Gedda, and Tucker all have trumps to play, Kraus cedes nothing to them in terms of style. Malfitano does all the heroines, and in 1985 she was within hailing distance of doing that respectably. I’ll be taking a listen to see how my memory has been. Morris also appears to good effect 3 years later in a Met video with Shicoff. Rudel, after a lengthy association with the New York City Opera is the 2nd leading Met conductor of Hoffmann with 37 (Hasselmanns runs up 40 performances in the 20s)

Oct
18
Fri
2019
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Oct 18 @ 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Rudel; Kraus, Malfitano, Morris, Bybee
Original Air Date: 01/26/1985

SID.19420428
I always liked Kraus in the title role, and though Domingo, Shicoff, Gedda, and Tucker all have trumps to play, Kraus cedes nothing to them in terms of style. Malfitano does all the heroines, and in 1985 she was within hailing distance of doing that respectably. I’ll be taking a listen to see how my memory has been. Morris also appears to good effect 3 years later in a Met video with Shicoff. Rudel, after a lengthy association with the New York City Opera is the 2nd leading Met conductor of Hoffmann with 37 (Hasselmanns runs up 40 performances in the 20s)

Oct
20
Sun
2019
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Oct 20 @ 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Rudel; Kraus, Malfitano, Morris, Bybee
Original Air Date: 01/26/1985

SID.19420741
I always liked Kraus in the title role, and though Domingo, Shicoff, Gedda, and Tucker all have trumps to play, Kraus cedes nothing to them in terms of style. Malfitano does all the heroines, and in 1985 she was within hailing distance of doing that respectably. I’ll be taking a listen to see how my memory has been. Morris also appears to good effect 3 years later in a Met video with Shicoff. Rudel, after a lengthy association with the New York City Opera is the 2nd leading Met conductor of Hoffmann with 37 (Hasselmanns runs up 40 performances in the 20s)

Nov
19
Tue
2019
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Nov 19 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Young; Leech, Morris, Dessay, Larmore, Racette, Mentzer
Original Air Date: 02/07/1998

SID.19470210
Here is Dessay at her youthful supreme, Young’s conducting is not always ideal, but Leech and Morris are on excellent form. Natalie is not to be missed (if only her Violetta sounded even half like this). Dessay in her early Met career literally brought the house down with her Olympia. Simone Young was not a popular addition to the Metropolitan, Unforgettable. Leech and Morris are very solid in their big roles.

Nov
22
Fri
2019
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Nov 22 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Young; Leech, Morris, Dessay, Larmore, Racette, Mentzer
Original Air Date: 02/07/1998

SID.19470533
Here is Dessay at her youthful supreme, Young’s conducting is not always ideal, but Leech and Morris are on excellent form. Natalie is not to be missed (if only her Violetta sounded even half like this). Dessay in her early Met career literally brought the house down with her Olympia. Simone Young was not a popular addition to the Metropolitan, Unforgettable. Leech and Morris are very solid in their big roles.

Nov
24
Sun
2019
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Nov 24 @ 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Young; Leech, Morris, Dessay, Larmore, Racette, Mentzer
Original Air Date: 02/07/1998

SID.19470749
Here is Dessay at her youthful supreme, Young’s conducting is not always ideal, but Leech and Morris are on excellent form. Natalie is not to be missed (if only her Violetta sounded even half like this). Dessay in her early Met career literally brought the house down with her Olympia. Simone Young was not a popular addition to the Metropolitan, Unforgettable. Leech and Morris are very solid in their big roles.

Dec
24
Tue
2019
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Dec 24 @ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Morel; Gedda, London, Dobbs, Elias, Amara, Vanni
Original Air Date: 02/07/1959
MOD Audio
SID.19520211
This performance is always welcome on Sirius, for it is one of Gedda’s very best broadcasts. Morel’s style is also welcome. I’m not a huge fan of London’s villains (I prefer Singher’s) but this is a solid performance from top to bottom.

Dec
26
Thu
2019
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Dec 26 @ 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Morel; Gedda, London, Dobbs, Elias, Amara, Vanni
Original Air Date: 02/07/1959
MOD Audio
SID.19520422
This performance is always welcome on Sirius, for it is one of Gedda’s very best broadcasts. Morel’s style is also welcome. I’m not a huge fan of London’s villains (I prefer Singher’s) but this is a solid performance from top to bottom.

LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Dec 26 @ 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Morel; Gedda, London, Dobbs, Elias, Amara, Vanni
Original Air Date: 02/07/1959
MOD Audio
SID.19520428
This performance is always welcome on Sirius, for it is one of Gedda’s very best broadcasts. Morel’s style is also welcome. I’m not a huge fan of London’s villains (I prefer Singher’s) but this is a solid performance from top to bottom.

Dec
28
Sat
2019
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Dec 28 @ 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Morel; Gedda, London, Dobbs, Elias, Amara, Vanni
Original Air Date: 02/07/1959
MOD Audio
SID.19520637
This performance is always welcome on Sirius, for it is one of Gedda’s very best broadcasts. Morel’s style is also welcome. I’m not a huge fan of London’s villains (I prefer Singher’s) but this is a solid performance from top to bottom.

Jan
28
Tue
2020
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Jan 28 @ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Baudo; Gedda, Bacquier, Boky, Crespin, Amara, von Stade
Original Air Date: 04/10/1971
MOD Audio
SID.20050211
The fall performances went unbroadcast. This 1970/71 Hoffmann was divided between a fall group with Grist, Elias, and Lorengar in the three ladies and the spring offering was Boky, Crespin, and Amara. The excellent Gedda and Bacquier were in both parts of the revival. In the fall performances Grist and Lorengar were excellent. The broadcast does not come until spring, Crespin’s Giulietta while visually dazzling was one rocky ride on the Venetian canal. Amara sang a solid Antonia, but her tone never had the luster of a Lorengar. Boky is similarly lacking compared to Grist. Baudo is no Julius Rudel (among the best conductors I’ve ever heard for Hoffmann) or Chailly, let alone Monteux who originated the production in 1955. What should be mentioned is the strong supporting cast including von Stade as Nicklausse , Velis in the four comic tenor parts, and Paul Franke as an inimitable Spalanzani.

Jan
31
Fri
2020
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Jan 31 @ 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Baudo; Gedda, Bacquier, Boky, Crespin, Amara, von Stade
Original Air Date: 04/10/1971
MOD Audio
SID.20050530
The fall performances went unbroadcast. This 1970/71 Hoffmann was divided between a fall group with Grist, Elias, and Lorengar in the three ladies and the spring offering was Boky, Crespin, and Amara. The excellent Gedda and Bacquier were in both parts of the revival. In the fall performances Grist and Lorengar were excellent. The broadcast does not come until spring, Crespin’s Giulietta while visually dazzling was one rocky ride on the Venetian canal. Amara sang a solid Antonia, but her tone never had the luster of a Lorengar. Boky is similarly lacking compared to Grist. Baudo is no Julius Rudel (among the best conductors I’ve ever heard for Hoffmann) or Chailly, let alone Monteux who originated the production in 1955. What should be mentioned is the strong supporting cast including von Stade as Nicklausse , Velis in the four comic tenor parts, and Paul Franke as an inimitable Spalanzani.

Feb
3
Mon
2020
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Feb 3 @ 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Baudo; Gedda, Bacquier, Boky, Crespin, Amara, von Stade
Original Air Date: 04/10/1971
MOD Audio
SID.20060101
The fall performances went unbroadcast. This 1970/71 Hoffmann was divided between a fall group with Grist, Elias, and Lorengar in the three ladies and the spring offering was Boky, Crespin, and Amara. The excellent Gedda and Bacquier were in both parts of the revival. In the fall performances Grist and Lorengar were excellent. The broadcast does not come until spring, Crespin’s Giulietta while visually dazzling was one rocky ride on the Venetian canal. Amara sang a solid Antonia, but her tone never had the luster of a Lorengar. Boky is similarly lacking compared to Grist. Baudo is no Julius Rudel (among the best conductors I’ve ever heard for Hoffmann) or Chailly, let alone Monteux who originated the production in 1955. What should be mentioned is the strong supporting cast including von Stade as Nicklausse , Velis in the four comic tenor parts, and Paul Franke as an inimitable Spalanzani.

LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Feb 3 @ 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Baudo; Gedda, Bacquier, Boky, Crespin, Amara, von Stade
Original Air Date: 04/10/1971
MOD Audio
SID.20060102
The fall performances went unbroadcast. This 1970/71 Hoffmann was divided between a fall group with Grist, Elias, and Lorengar in the three ladies and the spring offering was Boky, Crespin, and Amara. The excellent Gedda and Bacquier were in both parts of the revival. In the fall performances Grist and Lorengar were excellent. The broadcast does not come until spring, Crespin’s Giulietta while visually dazzling was one rocky ride on the Venetian canal. Amara sang a solid Antonia, but her tone never had the luster of a Lorengar. Boky is similarly lacking compared to Grist. Baudo is no Julius Rudel (among the best conductors I’ve ever heard for Hoffmann) or Chailly, let alone Monteux who originated the production in 1955. What should be mentioned is the strong supporting cast including von Stade as Nicklausse , Velis in the four comic tenor parts, and Paul Franke as an inimitable Spalanzani.

Feb
5
Wed
2020
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Feb 5 @ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Baudo; Gedda, Bacquier, Boky, Crespin, Amara, von Stade
Original Air Date: 04/10/1971
MOD Audio
SID.20060318
The fall performances went unbroadcast. This 1970/71 Hoffmann was divided between a fall group with Grist, Elias, and Lorengar in the three ladies and the spring offering was Boky, Crespin, and Amara. The excellent Gedda and Bacquier were in both parts of the revival. In the fall performances Grist and Lorengar were excellent. The broadcast does not come until spring, Crespin’s Giulietta while visually dazzling was one rocky ride on the Venetian canal. Amara sang a solid Antonia, but her tone never had the luster of a Lorengar. Boky is similarly lacking compared to Grist. Baudo is no Julius Rudel (among the best conductors I’ve ever heard for Hoffmann) or Chailly, let alone Monteux who originated the production in 1955. What should be mentioned is the strong supporting cast including von Stade as Nicklausse , Velis in the four comic tenor parts, and Paul Franke as an inimitable Spalanzani.

Feb
7
Fri
2020
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Feb 7 @ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Baudo; Gedda, Bacquier, Boky, Crespin, Amara, von Stade
Original Air Date: 04/10/1971
MOD Audio
SID.20060534
The fall performances went unbroadcast. This 1970/71 Hoffmann was divided between a fall group with Grist, Elias, and Lorengar in the three ladies and the spring offering was Boky, Crespin, and Amara. The excellent Gedda and Bacquier were in both parts of the revival. In the fall performances Grist and Lorengar were excellent. The broadcast does not come until spring, Crespin’s Giulietta while visually dazzling was one rocky ride on the Venetian canal. Amara sang a solid Antonia, but her tone never had the luster of a Lorengar. Boky is similarly lacking compared to Grist. Baudo is no Julius Rudel (among the best conductors I’ve ever heard for Hoffmann) or Chailly, let alone Monteux who originated the production in 1955. What should be mentioned is the strong supporting cast including von Stade as Nicklausse , Velis in the four comic tenor parts, and Paul Franke as an inimitable Spalanzani.

Mar
2
Mon
2020
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Mar 2 @ 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Cambreling; Lima, Van Dam, Mills, Forst, Malfitano, Boozer
Original Air Date: 12/23/1989

SID.20100102
Lima is much stretched by Hoffmann, but he was very sympathetic on stage. The three lady casting is good, and Van Dam is excellent as the villains, his only Met season in them.

Mar
4
Wed
2020
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Mar 4 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Cambreling; Lima, Van Dam, Mills, Forst, Malfitano, Boozer
Original Air Date: 12/23/1989

SID.20100319
Lima is much stretched by Hoffmann, but he was very sympathetic on stage. The three lady casting is good, and Van Dam is excellent as the villains, his only Met season in them.

Mar
7
Sat
2020
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Mar 7 @ 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Cambreling; Lima, Van Dam, Mills, Forst, Malfitano, Boozer
Original Air Date: 12/23/1989

SID.20100636
Lima is much stretched by Hoffmann, but he was very sympathetic on stage. The three lady casting is good, and Van Dam is excellent as the villains, his only Met season in them.

Apr
7
Tue
2020
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Apr 7 @ 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Varviso; Alexander, Dooley, Scovotti, Cvejic, Amara, Martin
Original Air Date: 02/27/1965

SID.20150209
This performance goes back to the old house, and has the distinction of being John Alexander’s only broadcast Hoffmann. His career is distinguished by regularly being asked for by the biggest named sopranos in the world–Beverly Sills, Montserrat Caballe, Renata Tebaldi, Leontyne Price, and a repertory that was as comfortable in Mozart and the French, as he was in German (Walther and Bacchus among his roles) and Italian. He was a bit like Alberto Remedios, but with more coloratura flexibility; both with sweet voices that could cope with roles that often defeated less technically secure colleagues. Antonia is one of Amara’s best parts.

Apr
9
Thu
2020
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Apr 9 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Varviso; Alexander, Dooley, Scovotti, Cvejic, Amara, Martin
Original Air Date: 02/27/1965

SID.20150427
This performance goes back to the old house, and has the distinction of being John Alexander’s only broadcast Hoffmann. His career is distinguished by regularly being asked for by the biggest named sopranos in the world–Beverly Sills, Montserrat Caballe, Renata Tebaldi, Leontyne Price, and a repertory that was as comfortable in Mozart and the French, as he was in German (Walther and Bacchus among his roles) and Italian. He was a bit like Alberto Remedios, but with more coloratura flexibility; both with sweet voices that could cope with roles that often defeated less technically secure colleagues. Antonia is one of Amara’s best parts.

Apr
12
Sun
2020
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Apr 12 @ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Varviso; Alexander, Dooley, Scovotti, Cvejic, Amara, Martin
Original Air Date: 02/27/1965

SID.20150753
This performance goes back to the old house, and has the distinction of being John Alexander’s only broadcast Hoffmann. His career is distinguished by regularly being asked for by the biggest named sopranos in the world–Beverly Sills, Montserrat Caballe, Renata Tebaldi, Leontyne Price, and a repertory that was as comfortable in Mozart and the French, as he was in German (Walther and Bacchus among his roles) and Italian. He was a bit like Alberto Remedios, but with more coloratura flexibility; both with sweet voices that could cope with roles that often defeated less technically secure colleagues. Antonia is one of Amara’s best parts.

Apr
22
Wed
2020
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN [NMOS]
Apr 22 @ 7:30 PM – 11:55 PM


LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
James Levine: Joseph Calleja, Anna Netrebko, Kate Lindsey, Alan Held
Original Air Date: 12/19/2009
Live in HD
SID.20170323