Launched in 1931, the Metropolitan Opera's Saturday matinee broadcasts are the longest-running continuous classical music program in radio history. The 84th season presents 23 broadcasts from December 2014 to May 2015. James Levine is Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera. Margaret Juntwait returns as the series's host, joined by commentator Ira Siff.
The great Renée Fleming stars as the beguiling femme fatale who captivates all Paris in Lehár's enchanting operetta, seen in a new staging by Broadway virtuoso director and choreographer Susan Stroman (The Producers, Oklahoma!, Contact). Stroman and her design team of Julian Crouch (Satyagraha, The Enchanted Island) and costume designer William Ivey Long (Cinderella, Grey Gardens, Hairspray) have created an art-nouveau setting that climaxes with singing and dancing grisettes at the legendary Maxim's. Nathan Gunn co-stars as Danilo and Kelli O'Hara is Valencienne. Mezzo-soprano diva Susan Graham takes on the title role later in the run. Sir Andrew Davis and Fabio Luisi conduct.
Learn more about this production of The Merry Widow.
Franco Zeffirelli's classic take on Puccini's most popular opera, the immortal tale of tragic young love, is set among the rooftops of bohemian Paris. The role of the fragile Mimì is shared by Sonya Yoncheva, Angela Gheorghiu, and Kristine Opolais, with Francesco Demuro, Michael Fabiano, and Jean-François Borras as the love-sick poet Rodolfo. Riccardo Frizza conducts.
Learn more about this production of La Bohème.
Vittorio Grigolo and Matthew Polenzani take turns playing the tortured poet and unwitting adventurer of the title. The roles of the three heroines are shared by an impressive lineup of singing actresses, including Hibla Gerzmava, Susanna Phillips, Erin Morley, Audrey Luna, Christine Rice, and Elena Maximova. Thomas Hampson sings the Four Villains, and James Levine and Yves Abel conduct Offenbach's sparkling score.
Learn more about this production of Les Contes D'Hoffmann.
Anna Netrebko moves boldly into Verdi with her searing portrayal of Lady Macbeth, the mad and murderous mate of Željko Lucic's doomed Macbeth. Adrian Noble's chilling production also stars Joseph Calleja as the noble Macduff and René Pape as Banquo. Fabio Luisi conducts.
Learn more about this production of Macbeth.
On the heels of her triumphant Met performances as Tatiana in Eugene Onegin, soprano Anna Netrebko takes on another Tchaikovsky heroine in the first opera of this intriguing double bill, consisting of an enchanting fairy tale (Iolanta) followed by a psychological thriller (Bluebeard's Castle). Netrebko stars as the beautiful blind girl who experiences love for the first time in Iolanta, while Nadja Michael is the unwitting victim of the diabolical Bluebeard, played by Mikhail Petrenko. Both operas are directed by Mariusz Trelinski, who was inspired by classic noir films of the 1940s. Iolanta also stars Piotr Beczala, and Maestro Valery Gergiev conducts both operas.
Learn more about this production of Iolanta and Bluebeard's Castle.
The magnetic Peter Mattei is Don Giovanni, performing alongside the starry ensemble of Elza van den Heever, Emma Bell, and Luca Pisaroni. New York Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert crosses the Lincoln Center Plaza to conduct.
Learn more about this production of Don Giovanni.Julie Taymor's transcendent production of Mozart's magical composition, seen this season in its full-length German version, features a youthful cast led by Miah Persson as Pamina, Kathryn Lewek as the Queen of the Night, Toby Spence as Tamino, Markus Werba as Papageno, and Tobias Kehrer as Sarastro. Adam Fischer conducts.
Learn more about this production of Die Zauberflote.
Richard Eyre's stunning production returns with two of its great leading ladies, Elina Garanca and Anita Rachvelishvili, who share the title role of the ill-fated temptress. Aleksandrs Antonenko, Roberto Alagna, and Jonas Kaufmann take turns playing Carmen's desperate lover, Don José. Pablo Heras-Casado and Louis Langrée share conducting duties.
Learn more about this production of Carmen.
Joyce DiDonato and Juan Diego Flórez join forces for this Rossini showcase of bel canto virtuosity, set in the medieval Scottish highlands. DiDonato is the "lady of the lake" of the title, and Flórez is the king who relentlessly pursues her, with their vocal fireworks embellishing the tragic plot. This Met premiere production is directed by Paul Curran and conducted by Michele Mariotti.
Learn more about this production of La Donna del Lago.
The vocally high-flying soprano Diana Damrau sings her first Met performances of Massenet's beguiling heroine, opposite the ardent tenor Vittorio Grigolo, in Laurent Pelly's elegant production, conducted by Emmanuel Villaume.
Learn more about this production of Manon.
New coloratura talent Albina Shagimuratova sings bel canto's unhinged bride, delivering opera's most thrilling mad scene. Joseph Calleja is her tragic lover. Mary Zimmerman's production evokes the moors and castles of Scotland for Donizetti's melodic journey of love and deception, conducted by Maurizio Benini.
Learn more about this production of Lucia di Lammermoor.
