Met Summer HD Encores
Play It Again Sam
By: Met - May 05, 2011
Beginning June 15, the Met will once again present Summer HD Encores, a series of screenings from the groundbreaking Live in HD series, in more than 425 movie theaters across the United States. This summer’s Encores series offers screenings of six classic Live in HD transmissions: Puccini’s Madama Butterfly (June 15), Donizetti’s Don Pasquale (June 22), Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra (June 29), Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment (July 13), Puccini’s Tosca (July 20), and Verdi’s Don Carlo (July 27). Detailed cast and opera information is included on the schedule below.
Tickets are on sale for Summer HD Encores now and may be ordered by visiting www.metopera.org/hdlive. All Summer HD Encores screenings will take place on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m., local time. Select theaters will also present a second screening the day after the initial encore; check showtimes and participating theaters at www.metopera.org/hdlive.
The Met: Live in HD, the company’s award-winning series of opera transmissions into movie theaters around the world, is shown in 46 countries and in more than 1,500 theaters. Since launching the HD series in December 2006, the Metropolitan Opera has become the leading producer of alternative cinema content, selling more than seven million tickets in total. The fifth season of live transmissions concludes on May 14 with the Met’s new production of Die Walküre, conducted by Met Music Director James Levine and directed by Robert Lepage. National CineMedia is the Met’s U.S. partner in the Live in HD series; many independent theaters and arts centers also show the series in their theaters. The Met: Live in HD is made possible by a generous grant from the Neubauer Family Foundation. Bloomberg L.P. is the series’ global corporate sponsor.
The Metropolitan Opera’s 2011
Summer HD Encores Schedule
Wednesday, June 15, 6:30pm
MADAMA BUTTERFLY—Academy Award-winning film director Anthony Minghella’s critically acclaimed production of Puccini’s classic opera stars Patricia Racette in the title role. Marcello Giordani is her lover, the callous Pinkerton, and Dwayne Croft sings the role of Sharpless. Patrick Summers conducts.
Wednesday, June 22, 6:30pm
DON PASQUALE—Soprano Anna Netrebko is Norina, the irresistible and clever romantic heroine of Donizetti’s comic opera, who conspires with Dr. Malatesta (Mariusz Kwiecien) to teach a middle-aged miser (John Del Carlo) an unforgettable lesson about love and marriage. Matthew Polenzani sings the role of Ernesto, Norina’s love, and James Levine conducts one of his first-ever performances of this opera.
Wednesday, June 29, 6:30pm
SIMON BOCCANEGRA—Four decades into his legendary Met career, Plácido Domingo made history by singing the baritone title role of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra, conducted by James Levine. Adrianne Pieczonka sings the role of Boccanegra’s long-lost daughter Amelia, with Marcello Giordani as her lover Gabriele Adorno and James Morris as Fiesco, Boccanegra’s nemesis.
Wednesday, July 13, 6:30pm
LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT—Natalie Dessay is the title tomboy in Donizetti’s comedy, with Juan Diego Flórez as Tonio, the soldier who is willing to go to great lengths—and sing 9 high C’s—to win her love. The sparkling supporting cast includes Felicity Palmer as the Marquise of Berkenfield, Alessandro Corbelli as Sulpice, and the actress Marian Seldes, in her Met debut, as the Duchess of Krakenthorp. Marco Armiliato conducts.
Wednesday, July 20, 6:30pm
TOSCA—Karita Mattila lives for art and love as the passionate title character of Puccini’s opera. Luc Bondy’s production co-stars Marcelo Álvarez as the painter and revolutionary Cavaradossi and George Gagnidze as the corrupt villain Scarpia. Joseph Colaneri conducts.
Wednesday, July 27, 6:30pm
DON CARLO—Tony Award-winning director Nicholas Hytner made his Met debut with this new production of Verdi’s monumental grand opera. Roberto Alagna is the conflicted title character, joined by an exceptional cast that includes Marina Poplavskaya as Elisabeth de Valois, Anna Smirnova as Princess Eboli, Simon Keenlyside as Rodrigo, and Ferruccio Furlanetto as King Philip II. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts.