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. 

Nov
5
Tue
2019
IDOMENEO
Nov 5 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


IDOMENEO:Mozart
Levine; van Rensburg, Röschmann, Deshorties, Kozená. Francis
Original Air Date: 12/09/2006
MOD Audio
SID.19450210
This is Levine’s last run of Idomeneo at the Met, which included several streamed performances before the matinee with Heppner in the title role. Not sure why Rensburg has the last two, but the title role has had Pavarotti, Domingo, and the young Heppner (1991). Deshorties has had not one, but two Elettras, and the part calls for a Vaness (two excellent broadcasts) or Studer (never broadcast from the Met but in a fall series of performances.) Kozena is a quality Idamante, and Levine’s Mozart is among his very best.

EUGENE ONEGIN
Nov 5 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


EUGENE ONEGIN:Tchaikovsky
Gergiev; Hvorostovsky, Fleming, Vargas, Zaremba, Aleksashkin
Original Air Date: 02/24/2007
Live in HDMOD AudioMOD Video
SID.19450212
This performance is well known as one of the first season hits from the Met Live in HD. It is available on video in Blu-Ray (not so many of the Met performances are), as well as in MOoD. Gergiev, Hvorostovsky and Fleming deliver on their superstar standing both in audio and video.

Nov
7
Thu
2019
IDOMENEO
Nov 7 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


IDOMENEO:Mozart
Levine; van Rensburg, Röschmann, Deshorties, Kozená. Francis
Original Air Date: 12/09/2006
MOD Audio
SID.19450426
This is Levine’s last run of Idomeneo at the Met, which included several streamed performances before the matinee with Heppner in the title role. Not sure why Rensburg has the last two, but the title role has had Pavarotti, Domingo, and the young Heppner (1991). Deshorties has had not one, but two Elettras, and the part calls for a Vaness (two excellent broadcasts) or Studer (never broadcast from the Met but in a fall series of performances.) Kozena is a quality Idamante, and Levine’s Mozart is among his very best.

EUGENE ONEGIN
Nov 7 @ 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM


EUGENE ONEGIN:Tchaikovsky
Gergiev; Hvorostovsky, Fleming, Vargas, Zaremba, Aleksashkin
Original Air Date: 02/24/2007
Live in HDMOD AudioMOD Video
SID.19450428
This performance is well known as one of the first season hits from the Met Live in HD. It is available on video in Blu-Ray (not so many of the Met performances are), as well as in MOoD. Gergiev, Hvorostovsky and Fleming deliver on their superstar standing both in audio and video.

Nov
8
Fri
2019
EUGENE ONEGIN
Nov 8 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


EUGENE ONEGIN:Tchaikovsky
Gergiev; Hvorostovsky, Fleming, Vargas, Zaremba, Aleksashkin
Original Air Date: 02/24/2007
Live in HDMOD AudioMOD Video
SID.19450531
This performance is well known as one of the first season hits from the Met Live in HD. It is available on video in Blu-Ray (not so many of the Met performances are), as well as in MOoD. Gergiev, Hvorostovsky and Fleming deliver on their superstar standing both in audio and video.

Nov
9
Sat
2019
IDOMENEO
Nov 9 @ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM


IDOMENEO:Mozart
Levine; van Rensburg, Röschmann, Deshorties, Kozená. Francis
Original Air Date: 12/09/2006
MOD Audio
SID.19450641
This is Levine’s last run of Idomeneo at the Met, which included several streamed performances before the matinee with Heppner in the title role. Not sure why Rensburg has the last two, but the title role has had Pavarotti, Domingo, and the young Heppner (1991). Deshorties has had not one, but two Elettras, and the part calls for a Vaness (two excellent broadcasts) or Studer (never broadcast from the Met but in a fall series of performances.) Kozena is a quality Idamante, and Levine’s Mozart is among his very best.

Nov
18
Mon
2019
RIGOLETTO
Nov 18 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Verdi
Haider; Alvarez, Siurina, Calleja, Lloyd, Fabiola Herrera
Original Air Date: 12/16/2006

SID.19470103
This is a relatively recent (now ten years already!!) broadcast, and one of Alvarez’ last broadcasts before withdrawing from the vocal scene for some time. Calleja remains an uneven singer, although he certainly has a distinctive voice. There are no Met broadcasts in MOoD for Merrill (Fourth in Met Rigolettos with five broadcasts (my recommendation would be 1968), only one video for MacNeil in 1977, and he has six broadcasts, and his debut broadcast in 1960 is certainly worthy of rebroadcasting and in MOoD (Mac has the house record with 102 Rigolettos) and Warren has only the 1945 in the streaming despite 10 broadcasts (he’s third in overall Rigolettos after MacNeil and De Luca).This is one opera with a major imbalance in terms of Sirius and MoOD performances and three of the greatest Met baritones in its history, and American to boot. This is Alvarez’ last broadcast and except for three non-broadcast Macbeths with Papian, Calleja, and Pape, he is not appeared in the Met in the last five years. He has not appeared widely on other stages in the interim for health reasons.

Nov
20
Wed
2019
RIGOLETTO
Nov 20 @ 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM

Verdi
Haider; Alvarez, Siurina, Calleja, Lloyd, Fabiola Herrera
Original Air Date: 12/16/2006

SID.19470321
This is a relatively recent (now ten years already!!) broadcast, and one of Alvarez’ last broadcasts before withdrawing from the vocal scene for some time. Calleja remains an uneven singer, although he certainly has a distinctive voice. There are no Met broadcasts in MOoD for Merrill (Fourth in Met Rigolettos with five broadcasts (my recommendation would be 1968), only one video for MacNeil in 1977, and he has six broadcasts, and his debut broadcast in 1960 is certainly worthy of rebroadcasting and in MOoD (Mac has the house record with 102 Rigolettos) and Warren has only the 1945 in the streaming despite 10 broadcasts (he’s third in overall Rigolettos after MacNeil and De Luca).This is one opera with a major imbalance in terms of Sirius and MoOD performances and three of the greatest Met baritones in its history, and American to boot. This is Alvarez’ last broadcast and except for three non-broadcast Macbeths with Papian, Calleja, and Pape, he is not appeared in the Met in the last five years. He has not appeared widely on other stages in the interim for health reasons.

Nov
23
Sat
2019
RIGOLETTO
Nov 23 @ 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Verdi
Haider; Alvarez, Siurina, Calleja, Lloyd, Fabiola Herrera
Original Air Date: 12/16/2006

SID.19470640
This is a relatively recent (now ten years already!!) broadcast, and one of Alvarez’ last broadcasts before withdrawing from the vocal scene for some time. Calleja remains an uneven singer, although he certainly has a distinctive voice. There are no Met broadcasts in MOoD for Merrill (Fourth in Met Rigolettos with five broadcasts (my recommendation would be 1968), only one video for MacNeil in 1977, and he has six broadcasts, and his debut broadcast in 1960 is certainly worthy of rebroadcasting and in MOoD (Mac has the house record with 102 Rigolettos) and Warren has only the 1945 in the streaming despite 10 broadcasts (he’s third in overall Rigolettos after MacNeil and De Luca).This is one opera with a major imbalance in terms of Sirius and MoOD performances and three of the greatest Met baritones in its history, and American to boot. This is Alvarez’ last broadcast and except for three non-broadcast Macbeths with Papian, Calleja, and Pape, he is not appeared in the Met in the last five years. He has not appeared widely on other stages in the interim for health reasons.

Dec
30
Mon
2019
DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA
Dec 30 @ 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM


DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA:Strauss
Luisi; Voigt, Kerl, Damrau, Grove, Brendel
Original Air Date: 03/31/2007
MOD Audio
SID.20010107
This is the Met’s only broadcast of the Strauss work and Kerl and Damrau are very impressive. I don’t love the work, but like most Strauss, it has its moments. It’s repeated too often in rotation which in no way approximates its importance in the Strauss canon. This was the first Met production in more than eight decades. I love the awakening scene, but for me it’s one of the weaker Strauss works. I shouldn’t complain. No Strauss at all this season or next. To date this is the only Met matinee broadcast of this uncommon Strauss work. The strongest profile is from Damrau who is an excellent Aithra. The opera has some great moments, and was one of Met audience’s first chances to encounter Luisi, now the Principal Conductor.

Jan
3
Fri
2020
DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA
Jan 3 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA:Strauss
Luisi; Voigt, Kerl, Damrau, Grove, Brendel
Original Air Date: 03/31/2007
MOD Audio
SID.20010531
This is the Met’s only broadcast of the Strauss work and Kerl and Damrau are very impressive. I don’t love the work, but like most Strauss, it has its moments. It’s repeated too often in rotation which in no way approximates its importance in the Strauss canon. This was the first Met production in more than eight decades. I love the awakening scene, but for me it’s one of the weaker Strauss works. I shouldn’t complain. No Strauss at all this season or next. To date this is the only Met matinee broadcast of this uncommon Strauss work. The strongest profile is from Damrau who is an excellent Aithra. The opera has some great moments, and was one of Met audience’s first chances to encounter Luisi, now the Principal Conductor.

Jan
5
Sun
2020
DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA
Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM


DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA:Strauss
Luisi; Voigt, Kerl, Damrau, Grove, Brendel
Original Air Date: 03/31/2007
MOD Audio
SID.20010745
This is the Met’s only broadcast of the Strauss work and Kerl and Damrau are very impressive. I don’t love the work, but like most Strauss, it has its moments. It’s repeated too often in rotation which in no way approximates its importance in the Strauss canon. This was the first Met production in more than eight decades. I love the awakening scene, but for me it’s one of the weaker Strauss works. I shouldn’t complain. No Strauss at all this season or next. To date this is the only Met matinee broadcast of this uncommon Strauss work. The strongest profile is from Damrau who is an excellent Aithra. The opera has some great moments, and was one of Met audience’s first chances to encounter Luisi, now the Principal Conductor.

Jan
8
Wed
2020
JENUFA
Jan 8 @ 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM


JENUFA:Janácek
Belohlávek; Mattila, Silja, Silvasti, Morris, Dever
Original Air Date: 02/17/2007

SID.20020321
RWW was disappointed in this production when it was new in 2003, and had seen Silja recently in Barcelona and found her inferior to Marton who was almost as impressive as Rysanek had been as the Kostelnicka. This is Mattila’s second Jenufa broadcast, here first 4 years earlier was with Polaski under Jurowski. Now that we are more aware of Jay Hunter Morris, I will take another listen. Do love Jenufa, but not every performance automatically clicks. The Benackova/ Rysanek under Conlon in 1992 broadcast definitely clicks! Alas no Jenufa in MOoD. Belohlavek is a fine Janacek conductor, but both Mattila and Silja are too mature for my taste. The other interest is the first Met broadcast appearance of Jay Hunter Morris,now a Met Siegfried; he had debuted 3 days earlier as Steva. Wish the Met had telecast Mattila’s Jenufa either the first year of the production or with this revival.

Jan
10
Fri
2020
JENUFA
Jan 10 @ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM


JENUFA:Janácek
Belohlávek; Mattila, Silja, Silvasti, Morris, Dever
Original Air Date: 02/17/2007

SID.20020532
RWW was disappointed in this production when it was new in 2003, and had seen Silja recently in Barcelona and found her inferior to Marton who was almost as impressive as Rysanek had been as the Kostelnicka. This is Mattila’s second Jenufa broadcast, here first 4 years earlier was with Polaski under Jurowski. Now that we are more aware of Jay Hunter Morris, I will take another listen. Do love Jenufa, but not every performance automatically clicks. The Benackova/ Rysanek under Conlon in 1992 broadcast definitely clicks! Alas no Jenufa in MOoD. Belohlavek is a fine Janacek conductor, but both Mattila and Silja are too mature for my taste. The other interest is the first Met broadcast appearance of Jay Hunter Morris,now a Met Siegfried; he had debuted 3 days earlier as Steva. Wish the Met had telecast Mattila’s Jenufa either the first year of the production or with this revival.

Jan
12
Sun
2020
JENUFA
Jan 12 @ 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM


JENUFA:Janácek
Belohlávek; Mattila, Silja, Silvasti, Morris, Dever
Original Air Date: 02/17/2007

SID.20020744
RWW was disappointed in this production when it was new in 2003, and had seen Silja recently in Barcelona and found her inferior to Marton who was almost as impressive as Rysanek had been as the Kostelnicka. This is Mattila’s second Jenufa broadcast, here first 4 years earlier was with Polaski under Jurowski. Now that we are more aware of Jay Hunter Morris, I will take another listen. Do love Jenufa, but not every performance automatically clicks. The Benackova/ Rysanek under Conlon in 1992 broadcast definitely clicks! Alas no Jenufa in MOoD. Belohlavek is a fine Janacek conductor, but both Mattila and Silja are too mature for my taste. The other interest is the first Met broadcast appearance of Jay Hunter Morris,now a Met Siegfried; he had debuted 3 days earlier as Steva. Wish the Met had telecast Mattila’s Jenufa either the first year of the production or with this revival.

Jan
13
Mon
2020
THE FIRST EMPEROR
Jan 13 @ 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM


THE FIRST EMPEROR:Dun
Dun; Domingo, Futral, Groves, Tian, DeYoung
Original Air Date: 01/13/2007
Live in HDMOD Video
SID.20030101
This is Domingo’s vehicle and the broadcast and HD performance from its premiere season. Sony issued a commercial DVD. Better to watch than listen to. I enjoyed seeing the production, and while it’s not on my weekly rotation, it held my interest more than Glass’ The Voyage. The simultaneous broadcast/HD moviecast is available on commercial DVD and MOoD (Metropolitan Opera on Demand).

GIULIO CESARE
Jan 13 @ 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM


GIULIO CESARE:Handel
Bicket; Daniels, Swenson, Coote, Bardon, Zazzo
Original Air Date: 04/21/2007
MOD Audio
SID.20030107
Bicket knows this turf well, but a countertenor Caesar doesn’t work for me, but the whole of the work is tough going for me. I leave it for others to comment. I’m not good with Caesar in the hands of a countertenor. The cast is solid, but I’m not a Handelian so caveat auditor. Handel is not my specialty, but Bicket gets consistently good notices for his handling of Baroque operas. Cesare is notable for a number of lovely arias for Cleopatra (and one of Sills’ calling card roles.)

Jan
15
Wed
2020
GIULIO CESARE
Jan 15 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


GIULIO CESARE:Handel
Bicket; Daniels, Swenson, Coote, Bardon, Zazzo
Original Air Date: 04/21/2007
MOD Audio
SID.20030319
Bicket knows this turf well, but a countertenor Caesar doesn’t work for me, but the whole of the work is tough going for me. I leave it for others to comment. I’m not good with Caesar in the hands of a countertenor. The cast is solid, but I’m not a Handelian so caveat auditor. Handel is not my specialty, but Bicket gets consistently good notices for his handling of Baroque operas. Cesare is notable for a number of lovely arias for Cleopatra (and one of Sills’ calling card roles.)

Jan
18
Sat
2020
GIULIO CESARE
Jan 18 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


GIULIO CESARE:Handel
Bicket; Daniels, Swenson, Coote, Bardon, Zazzo
Original Air Date: 04/21/2007
MOD Audio
SID.20030638
Bicket knows this turf well, but a countertenor Caesar doesn’t work for me, but the whole of the work is tough going for me. I leave it for others to comment. I’m not good with Caesar in the hands of a countertenor. The cast is solid, but I’m not a Handelian so caveat auditor. Handel is not my specialty, but Bicket gets consistently good notices for his handling of Baroque operas. Cesare is notable for a number of lovely arias for Cleopatra (and one of Sills’ calling card roles.)

Jan
22
Wed
2020
THE FIRST EMPEROR
Jan 22 @ 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM


THE FIRST EMPEROR:Dun
Dun; Domingo, Futral, Groves, Tian, DeYoung
Original Air Date: 01/13/2007
Live in HDMOD Video
SID.20040316
This is Domingo’s vehicle and the broadcast and HD performance from its premiere season. Sony issued a commercial DVD. Better to watch than listen to. I enjoyed seeing the production, and while it’s not on my weekly rotation, it held my interest more than Glass’ The Voyage. The simultaneous broadcast/HD moviecast is available on commercial DVD and MOoD (Metropolitan Opera on Demand).

Jan
25
Sat
2020
THE FIRST EMPEROR
Jan 25 @ 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM


THE FIRST EMPEROR:Dun
Dun; Domingo, Futral, Groves, Tian, DeYoung
Original Air Date: 01/13/2007
Live in HDMOD Video
SID.20040636
This is Domingo’s vehicle and the broadcast and HD performance from its premiere season. Sony issued a commercial DVD. Better to watch than listen to. I enjoyed seeing the production, and while it’s not on my weekly rotation, it held my interest more than Glass’ The Voyage. The simultaneous broadcast/HD moviecast is available on commercial DVD and MOoD (Metropolitan Opera on Demand).

Jan
26
Sun
2020
THE FIRST EMPEROR
Jan 26 @ 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM


THE FIRST EMPEROR:Dun
Dun; Domingo, Futral, Groves, Tian, DeYoung
Original Air Date: 01/13/2007
Live in HDMOD Video
SID.20040749
This is Domingo’s vehicle and the broadcast and HD performance from its premiere season. Sony issued a commercial DVD. Better to watch than listen to. I enjoyed seeing the production, and while it’s not on my weekly rotation, it held my interest more than Glass’ The Voyage. The simultaneous broadcast/HD moviecast is available on commercial DVD and MOoD (Metropolitan Opera on Demand).

Feb
19
Wed
2020
IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA
Feb 19 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA:Rossini
Benini; Mattei, DiDonato, Flórez, Del Carlo, Relyea
Original Air Date: 03/24/2007
Live in HDMOD Video
SID.20080317
This is a simulcast of the first season Live in HD videocast. It’s the only matinee broadcast appearance of Mattei, DiDonato and Florez together, and they are a splendid trio.

Feb
21
Fri
2020
IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA
Feb 21 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA:Rossini
Benini; Mattei, DiDonato, Flórez, Del Carlo, Relyea
Original Air Date: 03/24/2007
Live in HDMOD Video
SID.20080533
This is a simulcast of the first season Live in HD videocast. It’s the only matinee broadcast appearance of Mattei, DiDonato and Florez together, and they are a splendid trio.

Feb
24
Mon
2020
IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA
Feb 24 @ 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM


IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA:Rossini
Benini; Mattei, DiDonato, Flórez, Del Carlo, Relyea
Original Air Date: 03/24/2007
Live in HDMOD Video
SID.20090101
This is a simulcast of the first season Live in HD videocast. It’s the only matinee broadcast appearance of Mattei, DiDonato and Florez together, and they are a splendid trio.

Mar
22
Sun
2020
EUGENE ONEGIN [NMOS]
Mar 22 @ 7:30 PM – 11:55 PM


EUGENE ONEGIN:Tchaikovsky
Gergiev; Hvorostovsky, Fleming, Vargas, Zaremba, Aleksashkin
Original Air Date: 02/24/2007
Live in HD MOD Audio MOD Video  SID.20120700
This performance is well known as one of the first season hits from the Met Live in HD. It is available on video in Blu-Ray (not so many of the Met performances are), as well as in MOoD. Gergiev, Hvorostovsky and Fleming deliver on their superstar standing both in audio and video.

EUGENE ONEGIN {122}
P. I. Tchaikovsky-P. I. Tchaikovsky/Shilovsky
Eugene Onegin………..Dmitri Hvorostovsky
Tatiana……………..Renée Fleming
Lensky………………Ramón Vargas
Olga………………..Elena Zaremba
Prince Gremin………..Sergei Aleksashkin
Larina………………Svetlana Volkova *Debut
Filippyevna………….Larisa Shevchenko
Triquet……………..Jean-Paul Fouchécourt
Captain……………..Keith Miller
Zaretsky…………….Richard Bernstein
Dance……………….Sam Meredith
Dance……………….Linda Gelinas

Conductor……………Valery Gergiev

Production…………..Robert Carsen
Designer…………….Michael Levine
Lighting Designer…….Jean Kalman
Choreographer………..Serge Bennathan
Stage Director……….Peter McClintock

Production Photos

Mar
31
Tue
2020
IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA [NMOS]
Mar 31 @ 7:30 PM – 11:55 PM


IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA:Rossini
Benini; Mattei, DiDonato, Flórez, Del Carlo, Relyea
Original Air Date: 03/24/2007
Live in HDMOD Video
SID.20140214
This is a simulcast of the first season Live in HD videocast. It’s the only matinee broadcast appearance of Mattei, DiDonato and Florez together, and they are a splendid trio.