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
10
Tue
2019
PARSIFAL
Sep 10 @ 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM


PARSIFAL:Wagner
Original Air Date: 04/17/1982
Levine; Hofmann, Dunn, Stewart, Hines, Meredith
MOD Audio SID.19370209
The main claim to fame is the superb sound of the orchestra. Vocally Levine has better casts, and the failure to bring to Sirius the 1985 broadcast with Vickers, Rysanek, and Moll is very surprising; it has been issued as a Met premium CD. This is the 4th of Levine’s 12 Parsifal broadcasts, and is available like three others in MOoD. Hofmann was certainly effective in the theatre, but I prefer Vickers (esp. the 1985 with Rysanek) or Domingo (with Gwyneth Jones’ farewell from 1995 with PD). Stewart is an excellent Amfortas, but I like a voice a bit smoother than Hines– Siepi or Moll. For Dunn, some of the second act writing is very challenging.

PARSIFAL
Sep 10 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


TBA:TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
TBA
SID.19370210
Various selections between scheduled operas. Siriusxm Radio and web player will show the Composer and Title.

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
12
Thu
2019
PARSIFAL
Sep 12 @ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM


PARSIFAL:Wagner
Original Air Date: 04/17/1982
Levine; Hofmann, Dunn, Stewart, Hines, Meredith
MOD Audio SID.19370425
The main claim to fame is the superb sound of the orchestra. Vocally Levine has better casts, and the failure to bring to Sirius the 1985 broadcast with Vickers, Rysanek, and Moll is very surprising; it has been issued as a Met premium CD. This is the 4th of Levine’s 12 Parsifal broadcasts, and is available like three others in MOoD. Hofmann was certainly effective in the theatre, but I prefer Vickers (esp. the 1985 with Rysanek) or Domingo (with Gwyneth Jones’ farewell from 1995 with PD). Stewart is an excellent Amfortas, but I like a voice a bit smoother than Hines– Siepi or Moll. For Dunn, some of the second act writing is very challenging.

PARSIFAL
Sep 12 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


PARSIFAL:Wagner
Original Air Date: 04/17/1982
Levine; Hofmann, Dunn, Stewart, Hines, Meredith
MOD Audio SID.19370426
The main claim to fame is the superb sound of the orchestra. Vocally Levine has better casts, and the failure to bring to Sirius the 1985 broadcast with Vickers, Rysanek, and Moll is very surprising; it has been issued as a Met premium CD. This is the 4th of Levine’s 12 Parsifal broadcasts, and is available like three others in MOoD. Hofmann was certainly effective in the theatre, but I prefer Vickers (esp. the 1985 with Rysanek) or Domingo (with Gwyneth Jones’ farewell from 1995 with PD). Stewart is an excellent Amfortas, but I like a voice a bit smoother than Hines– Siepi or Moll. For Dunn, some of the second act writing is very challenging.

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).

Sep
14
Sat
2019
PARSIFAL
Sep 14 @ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

PARSIFAL:Wagner
Original Air Date: 04/17/1982
Levine; Hofmann, Dunn, Stewart, Hines, Meredith
MOD Audio SID.19370642

The main claim to fame is the superb sound of the orchestra. Vocally Levine has better casts, and the failure to bring to Sirius the 1985 broadcast with Vickers, Rysanek, and Moll is very surprising; it has been issued as a Met premium CD. This is the 4th of Levine’s 12 Parsifal broadcasts, and is available like three others in MOoD. Hofmann was certainly effective in the theatre, but I prefer Vickers (esp. the 1985 with Rysanek) or Domingo (with Gwyneth Jones’ farewell from 1995 with PD). Stewart is an excellent Amfortas, but I like a voice a bit smoother than Hines– Siepi or Moll. For Dunn, some of the second act writing is very challenging.

PARSIFAL
Sep 14 @ 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM

PARSIFAL:Wagner
Original Air Date: 04/17/1982
Levine; Hofmann, Dunn, Stewart, Hines, Meredith
MOD Audio SID.19370642

The main claim to fame is the superb sound of the orchestra. Vocally Levine has better casts, and the failure to bring to Sirius the 1985 broadcast with Vickers, Rysanek, and Moll is very surprising; it has been issued as a Met premium CD. This is the 4th of Levine’s 12 Parsifal broadcasts, and is available like three others in MOoD. Hofmann was certainly effective in the theatre, but I prefer Vickers (esp. the 1985 with Rysanek) or Domingo (with Gwyneth Jones’ farewell from 1995 with PD). Stewart is an excellent Amfortas, but I like a voice a bit smoother than Hines– Siepi or Moll. For Dunn, some of the second act writing is very challenging.

Sep
17
Tue
2019
COSÌ FAN TUTTE
Sep 17 @ 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM


COSÌ FAN TUTTE:Mozart
Original Air Date: 02/27/1982
Levine; Lorengar, Rendall, Ewing, Carlson, Battle, Gramm
MOD Audio SID.19380315
This is Lorengar’s broadcast farewell (actual farewell the following week) in one of her best roles. I saw her in this Met run as well as her DC appearance with her home company, Deutsche Oper, Berlin under Bohm. Ewing is a delicious Dorabella, and Levine knows how to make this work grab you.

Sep
20
Fri
2019
COSÌ FAN TUTTE
Sep 20 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


COSÌ FAN TUTTE:Mozart
Original Air Date: 02/27/1982
Levine; Lorengar, Rendall, Ewing, Carlson, Battle, Gramm
MOD Audio SID.19380531
This is Lorengar’s broadcast farewell (actual farewell the following week) in one of her best roles. I saw her in this Met run as well as her DC appearance with her home company, Deutsche Oper, Berlin under Bohm. Ewing is a delicious Dorabella, and Levine knows how to make this work grab you.

Sep
22
Sun
2019
COSÌ FAN TUTTE
Sep 22 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


COSÌ FAN TUTTE:Mozart
Original Air Date: 02/27/1982
Levine; Lorengar, Rendall, Ewing, Carlson, Battle, Gramm
MOD Audio SID.19380745
This is Lorengar’s broadcast farewell (actual farewell the following week) in one of her best roles. I saw her in this Met run as well as her DC appearance with her home company, Deutsche Oper, Berlin under Bohm. Ewing is a delicious Dorabella, and Levine knows how to make this work grab you.

Oct
14
Mon
2019
IL TROVATORE
Oct 14 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


IL TROVATORE:Verdi
Conlon; Giacomini, Price, Cortez, Quilico, Cheek
Original Air Date: 02/06/1982

SID.19420103
SR: Besides Price’s excellent “known quantity” Leonora, this broadcast offers the opportunity for Giacomini fans to relish his Manrico and to hear the very much in his prime Louis Quilico as di Luna. Some of the bloom had, by 1982, begun to depart from Viorica Cortez’ voice..but she still had much to offer. All-in-all an enjoyable outing. This is a very young Conlon who still had 5 or 6 broadcasts already under his belt. I have no strong memory of this performance, but Giacomini’s certainly had the heft for Manrico if not necessarily easy upper register. Cortez is not one of my favorites. This is getting towards the end for Price. Listen to her in 1961 where her Leonora is stunning, and that is on Met Player as well as Sony CDs.

Oct
17
Thu
2019
IL TROVATORE
Oct 17 @ 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM


IL TROVATORE:Verdi
Conlon; Giacomini, Price, Cortez, Quilico, Cheek
Original Air Date: 02/06/1982

SID.19420320
SR: Besides Price’s excellent “known quantity” Leonora, this broadcast offers the opportunity for Giacomini fans to relish his Manrico and to hear the very much in his prime Louis Quilico as di Luna. Some of the bloom had, by 1982, begun to depart from Viorica Cortez’ voice..but she still had much to offer. All-in-all an enjoyable outing. This is a very young Conlon who still had 5 or 6 broadcasts already under his belt. I have no strong memory of this performance, but Giacomini’s certainly had the heft for Manrico if not necessarily easy upper register. Cortez is not one of my favorites. This is getting towards the end for Price. Listen to her in 1961 where her Leonora is stunning, and that is on Met Player as well as Sony CDs.

Oct
19
Sat
2019
IL TROVATORE
Oct 19 @ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM


IL TROVATORE:Verdi
Conlon; Giacomini, Price, Cortez, Quilico, Cheek
Original Air Date: 02/06/1982

SID.19420637
SR: Besides Price’s excellent “known quantity” Leonora, this broadcast offers the opportunity for Giacomini fans to relish his Manrico and to hear the very much in his prime Louis Quilico as di Luna. Some of the bloom had, by 1982, begun to depart from Viorica Cortez’ voice..but she still had much to offer. All-in-all an enjoyable outing. This is a very young Conlon who still had 5 or 6 broadcasts already under his belt. I have no strong memory of this performance, but Giacomini’s certainly had the heft for Manrico if not necessarily easy upper register. Cortez is not one of my favorites. This is getting towards the end for Price. Listen to her in 1961 where her Leonora is stunning, and that is on Met Player as well as Sony CDs.

Nov
27
Wed
2019
LE SACRE DU PRINTEMPS / LE ROSSIGNOL / OEDIPUS REX
Nov 27 @ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Stravinsky
Levine; Bradley, Creech, Catania / Lewis, Troyanos, Mazura
Original Air Date: 01/02/1982

SID.19480320
This is the first year of the Stravinsky/Hockney/Dexter/Levine trilogy with Troyanos the featured Jocasta. Jessye Norman did 5 performances the second year, but the broadcast was with Quivar as Jocasta. Blythe appears in 2004 under Gergiev. I prefer these works to Rake’s Progress (heresy), but the Hockney/Dexter visuals were not as appealing as their Parade French trilogy which preceded it.

Nov
29
Fri
2019
LE SACRE DU PRINTEMPS / LE ROSSIGNOL / OEDIPUS REX
Nov 29 @ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Stravinsky
Levine; Bradley, Creech, Catania / Lewis, Troyanos, Mazura
Original Air Date: 01/02/1982

SID.19480532
This is the first year of the Stravinsky/Hockney/Dexter/Levine trilogy with Troyanos the featured Jocasta. Jessye Norman did 5 performances the second year, but the broadcast was with Quivar as Jocasta. Blythe appears in 2004 under Gergiev. I prefer these works to Rake’s Progress (heresy), but the Hockney/Dexter visuals were not as appealing as their Parade French trilogy which preceded it.

Dec
1
Sun
2019
LE SACRE DU PRINTEMPS / LE ROSSIGNOL / OEDIPUS REX
Dec 1 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Stravinsky
Levine; Bradley, Creech, Catania / Lewis, Troyanos, Mazura
Original Air Date: 01/02/1982

SID.19480745
This is the first year of the Stravinsky/Hockney/Dexter/Levine trilogy with Troyanos the featured Jocasta. Jessye Norman did 5 performances the second year, but the broadcast was with Quivar as Jocasta. Blythe appears in 2004 under Gergiev. I prefer these works to Rake’s Progress (heresy), but the Hockney/Dexter visuals were not as appealing as their Parade French trilogy which preceded it.

Jan
6
Mon
2020
LUISA MILLER
Jan 6 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


LUISA MILLER:Verdi
Santi; Ricciarelli, Pavarotti, Nucci, Plishka, Cheek, Berini
Original Air Date: 01/23/1982
MOD Audio
SID.20020105
Luisa is probably Ricciarelli’s best role, and is well suited to the lyricism as well as technical skill for this part. This performance is also available in MOoD and one I highly recommend, even if Santi is rather lethargic at some critical points. Act 3 of Luisa Miller is among Verdi’s greatest inspirations.

Jan
8
Wed
2020
LUISA MILLER
Jan 8 @ 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM


LUISA MILLER:Verdi
Santi; Ricciarelli, Pavarotti, Nucci, Plishka, Cheek, Berini
Original Air Date: 01/23/1982
MOD Audio
SID.20020315
Luisa is probably Ricciarelli’s best role, and is well suited to the lyricism as well as technical skill for this part. This performance is also available in MOoD and one I highly recommend, even if Santi is rather lethargic at some critical points. Act 3 of Luisa Miller is among Verdi’s greatest inspirations.

Jan
9
Thu
2020
LUISA MILLER
Jan 9 @ 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM


LUISA MILLER:Verdi
Santi; Ricciarelli, Pavarotti, Nucci, Plishka, Cheek, Berini
Original Air Date: 01/23/1982
MOD Audio
SID.20020423
Luisa is probably Ricciarelli’s best role, and is well suited to the lyricism as well as technical skill for this part. This performance is also available in MOoD and one I highly recommend, even if Santi is rather lethargic at some critical points. Act 3 of Luisa Miller is among Verdi’s greatest inspirations.

Jan
12
Sun
2020
LUISA MILLER
Jan 12 @ 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM


LUISA MILLER:Verdi
Santi; Ricciarelli, Pavarotti, Nucci, Plishka, Cheek, Berini
Original Air Date: 01/23/1982
MOD Audio
SID.20020749
Luisa is probably Ricciarelli’s best role, and is well suited to the lyricism as well as technical skill for this part. This performance is also available in MOoD and one I highly recommend, even if Santi is rather lethargic at some critical points. Act 3 of Luisa Miller is among Verdi’s greatest inspirations.

Jan
14
Tue
2020
I VESPRI SICILIANI
Jan 14 @ 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM


I VESPRI SICILIANI:Verdi
Levine; Scotto, Ochman, Elvira, Raimondi
Original Air Date: 03/20/1982
MOD Audio
SID.20030208
Scotto could be an interesting singer in this music, but not by 1982–simply too much Lady Macbeth and Gioconda, among other things. I didn’t see her in 1974 which many people still rave about. 1974’s Arrigo was Domingo who had opened the season with Deutekom. Domingo never does the part after that 1974 run (he’s not in the spring 1975 broadcast)– it is among Verdi’s most challenging tenor assignments. Ochman is best described as earnest. Pablo Elvira was too little heard at the Met, and died prematurely. The broadcast mikes probably give him an extra volume boost, but he has nice Verdian style. Raimondi is never a favorite of mine, but Procida is one of the great Verdian bass roles– listen to Christoff with Callas (not from the Met). Siepi never did Procida at the Met and his omission from the Met premiere was part of his departure from the Met in April 1973.

Jan
16
Thu
2020
I VESPRI SICILIANI
Jan 16 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


I VESPRI SICILIANI:Verdi
Levine; Scotto, Ochman, Elvira, Raimondi
Original Air Date: 03/20/1982
MOD Audio
SID.20030424
Scotto could be an interesting singer in this music, but not by 1982–simply too much Lady Macbeth and Gioconda, among other things. I didn’t see her in 1974 which many people still rave about. 1974’s Arrigo was Domingo who had opened the season with Deutekom. Domingo never does the part after that 1974 run (he’s not in the spring 1975 broadcast)– it is among Verdi’s most challenging tenor assignments. Ochman is best described as earnest. Pablo Elvira was too little heard at the Met, and died prematurely. The broadcast mikes probably give him an extra volume boost, but he has nice Verdian style. Raimondi is never a favorite of mine, but Procida is one of the great Verdian bass roles– listen to Christoff with Callas (not from the Met). Siepi never did Procida at the Met and his omission from the Met premiere was part of his departure from the Met in April 1973.

Jan
19
Sun
2020
I VESPRI SICILIANI
Jan 19 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


I VESPRI SICILIANI:Verdi
Levine; Scotto, Ochman, Elvira, Raimondi
Original Air Date: 03/20/1982
MOD Audio
SID.20030746
Scotto could be an interesting singer in this music, but not by 1982–simply too much Lady Macbeth and Gioconda, among other things. I didn’t see her in 1974 which many people still rave about. 1974’s Arrigo was Domingo who had opened the season with Deutekom. Domingo never does the part after that 1974 run (he’s not in the spring 1975 broadcast)– it is among Verdi’s most challenging tenor assignments. Ochman is best described as earnest. Pablo Elvira was too little heard at the Met, and died prematurely. The broadcast mikes probably give him an extra volume boost, but he has nice Verdian style. Raimondi is never a favorite of mine, but Procida is one of the great Verdian bass roles– listen to Christoff with Callas (not from the Met). Siepi never did Procida at the Met and his omission from the Met premiere was part of his departure from the Met in April 1973.

Jan
28
Tue
2020
MESSA DA REQUIEM
Jan 28 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


MESSA DA REQUIEM:Verdi
Levine; Price, Quivar, Domingo, Cheek
Original Air Date: 02/20/1982
MOD Audio
SID.20050212
This broadcast is in memory of long-time Met Assistant Manager and Press representative, Francis Robinson. This is getting to be pretty late Price, and Domingo is not the best choice of tenor soloists for the Requiem. Quivar is a very solid mezzo soloist, and preferred to many commercially recorded mezzos. Cheek is OK, but if you are a Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) you can listen to a 1964 Requiem (in memory of John F. Kennedy) under Solti with Price,Elias, Bergonzi, and Siepi. Sound is not digital, but the performance is splendid and marks Solti’s final appearance with the Met

Jan
30
Thu
2020
MESSA DA REQUIEM
Jan 30 @ 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM


MESSA DA REQUIEM:Verdi
Levine; Price, Quivar, Domingo, Cheek
Original Air Date: 02/20/1982
MOD Audio
SID.20050428
This broadcast is in memory of long-time Met Assistant Manager and Press representative, Francis Robinson. This is getting to be pretty late Price, and Domingo is not the best choice of tenor soloists for the Requiem. Quivar is a very solid mezzo soloist, and preferred to many commercially recorded mezzos. Cheek is OK, but if you are a Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) you can listen to a 1964 Requiem (in memory of John F. Kennedy) under Solti with Price,Elias, Bergonzi, and Siepi. Sound is not digital, but the performance is splendid and marks Solti’s final appearance with the Met

Jan
31
Fri
2020
MESSA DA REQUIEM
Jan 31 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


MESSA DA REQUIEM:Verdi
Levine; Price, Quivar, Domingo, Cheek
Original Air Date: 02/20/1982
MOD Audio
SID.20050531
This broadcast is in memory of long-time Met Assistant Manager and Press representative, Francis Robinson. This is getting to be pretty late Price, and Domingo is not the best choice of tenor soloists for the Requiem. Quivar is a very solid mezzo soloist, and preferred to many commercially recorded mezzos. Cheek is OK, but if you are a Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) you can listen to a 1964 Requiem (in memory of John F. Kennedy) under Solti with Price,Elias, Bergonzi, and Siepi. Sound is not digital, but the performance is splendid and marks Solti’s final appearance with the Met

Apr
6
Mon
2020
FIDELIO
Apr 6 @ 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM


FIDELIO:Beethoven
Haitink; Meier, Sooter, Roar, Macurdy, Blegen, Atherton
Original Air Date: 04/10/1982

SID.20150208
This is Haitink’s only Met season, and Meier is pinch-hitting for Verrett who was sick for two other performances (also sung by Johanna Meier) in the run as well. Hard to believe the original casting for Florestan was Sooter, but in any event he gets a fine review from Harriet Johnson of the NY Post. To my knowledge, Verrett’s 3 performances are her only times in the part.

Apr
8
Wed
2020
FIDELIO
Apr 8 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM


FIDELIO:Beethoven
Haitink; Meier, Sooter, Roar, Macurdy, Blegen, Atherton
Original Air Date: 04/10/1982

SID.20150319
This is Haitink’s only Met season, and Meier is pinch-hitting for Verrett who was sick for two other performances (also sung by Johanna Meier) in the run as well. Hard to believe the original casting for Florestan was Sooter, but in any event he gets a fine review from Harriet Johnson of the NY Post. To my knowledge, Verrett’s 3 performances are her only times in the part.

Apr
10
Fri
2020
FIDELIO
Apr 10 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


FIDELIO:Beethoven
Haitink; Meier, Sooter, Roar, Macurdy, Blegen, Atherton
Original Air Date: 04/10/1982

SID.20150537
This is Haitink’s only Met season, and Meier is pinch-hitting for Verrett who was sick for two other performances (also sung by Johanna Meier) in the run as well. Hard to believe the original casting for Florestan was Sooter, but in any event he gets a fine review from Harriet Johnson of the NY Post. To my knowledge, Verrett’s 3 performances are her only times in the part.