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.
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.
James Levine and Plácido Domingo reunite for Levine's first Met Ernani since 1983 and Domingo's first-ever performances of the baritone role of Don Carlo. Francesco Meli stars in the title role, and Angela Meade is the soprano heroine Elvira, caught between rivals for her love.
Learn more about this production of Ernani.
Dynamic maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Verdi's ambitious score with a stand-out cast in Nicholas Hytner's handsome production. Yonghoon Lee sings the title role, with Barbara Frittoli, Ekaterina Gubanova, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, James Morris, and Ferruccio Furlanetto, reprising his definitive portrayal of King Philip.
Learn more about this production of Don Carlo.
Shostakovich's towering tragedy of adultery and murder stars the commanding dramatic soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek as the heroine who suffers the vicissitudes of her treachery. Brandon Jovanovich is her co-conspirator and lover, and James Conlon conducts.
Learn more about this production of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.
Opera's most enduring tragic double bill returns in an evocative new production from Sir David McVicar (Giulio Cesare, Maria Stuarda, Il Trovatore), who sets the verismo action across two time periods but in the same Sicilian setting. Marcelo Álvarez rises to the challenge of playing the dual tenor roles of Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana and Canio in Pagliacci. Eva-Maria Westbroek (Cav) and Patricia Racette (Pag) play the unlucky heroines. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi is on the podium.
Learn more about this production.
