This week’s selection of Metropolitan Opera “Live in HD” encores runs the gamut from Handel’s “Rodelinda” to John Corigliano’s “The Ghosts of Versailles.”
Of particular interest is a double-bill of Tchaikovsky’s “Iolanta” and Bartók’s “Bluebeard’s Castle.” The staging of “Bluebeard,” allegedly inspired by noir films of the 1940s, is a knock-out! A powerful introduction, for anyone who has had difficulty getting his or her head around this darkly beautiful work on recordings.
In addition, the Met will re-stream its at-home gala, which made a very favorable impression the first time around. This virtual event features dozens of opera singers performing out of their homes, with some very unlikely accompanists. At least one of the singers, taken off-guard, is caught drinking a beer on camera. The gala will run continuously, on both Friday and Saturday. It’s four-hours long, but compelling throughout.
The Met continues to make good on its pledge to stream free opera for the duration of the house’s shutdown. Each opera is accessible for approximately 23 hours, starting every day around 7 p.m. EDT. Massenet’s “Thais” streams through 6 p.m. today, at metopera.org.
Here’s a complete schedule of this week’s offerings. You’ll find teasers and bonus materials when following the link:
https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/week-13/
Monday, June 8
Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito
Starring Lucy Crowe, Barbara Frittoli, Elīna Garanča, Kate Lindsey, and Giuseppe Filianoti, conducted by Harry Bicket. From December 1, 2012.
Tuesday, June 9
Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta and Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle
Starring Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczała in Iolanta, and Nadja Michael and Mikhail Petrenko in Bluebeard’s Castle, conducted by Valery Gergiev. From February 14, 2015.
Wednesday, June 10
Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel
Starring Christine Schäfer, Alice Coote, Rosalind Plowright, Philip Langridge, and Alan Held, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski. From January 1, 2008.
Thursday, June 11
John Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles
Starring Teresa Stratas, Renée Fleming, Marilyn Horne, Graham Clark, Gino Quilico, and Håkan Hagegård, conducted by James Levine. From January 10, 1992.
Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13
At-Home Gala (Encore Screening)
In a re-broadcast of our recent At-Home Gala, more than 40 leading artists and members of the Met Orchestra and Chorus perform virtually from their homes around the world, with General Manager Peter Gelb and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin as hosts. From April 25, 2020.
Sunday, June 14
Handel’s Rodelinda
Starring Renée Fleming, Stephanie Blythe, Andreas Scholl, Iestyn Davies, Joseph Kaiser, and Shenyang, conducted by Harry Bicket. From December 3, 2011.
