RSS 2.0 FeedOctober 7, 2009, Featured Articles, Classical
Met Opera's 2009/10 HD Broadcasts
The Metropolitan Opera will again broadcast many of this season's operas in high def directly into your local movie theaters. These broadcasts have been very successful over the past few years, not only for their artistic values, but attendance has been uniformly excellent. If these were actual Hollywood movies, many of the broadcasts would have outsold all but the biggest offerings. I expect similar results this season.
The Metropolitan Opera will again broadcast many of this season's operas in high def directly into your local movie theaters. These broadcasts have been very successful over the past few years, not only for their artistic values, but attendance has been uniformly excellent. If these were actual Hollywood movies, many of the broadcasts would have outsold all but the biggest offerings. I expect similar results this season.
So assuming you intend to pick and choose which ones to see as opposed to just going to all of them, here are some in the "can't miss" category and some can be skipped. Let's run them down.
Tosca - Giacomo Puccini
October 10, 2009 at noon
US Encore: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 (6:30 pm local time)
Expected Running time: 3 hours 27 minutes, 2 intermissions
Starring Karita Mattila as Tosca and Marcelo Alvarez as Cavaradossi.
This is a new production that was vociferously booed on opening night. The production replaced the highly beloved Zeffirelli production with a stripped down one and has several reportedly bizarre directorial decisions. The audience hated it. The reviews of the singing were mixed.
There are two reasons to go see this production. First - it's Tosca one of the most popular operas ever written. Secondly, if you were paying attention you will note that I didn't name who was singing the role of Scarpia, the bad guy. That's because the original Scarpia dropped out due to illness and his replacement has just been adequate. HOWEVER, rumors are swirling around New York that Bryn Terfel may be flown in just for this HD performance to sing the role. Bryn Terfel has an amazing voice and a riveting stage presence. I have seen him three times at the Met and your eyes never leave him for fear you will miss something great. If the Met announces him as a one time replacement, I would go see this just for Terfel no matter who else is in it and no matter how bad the production is. I would keep an eye out on the Met website and/or The New York Times for an announcement.
Aida - Giuseppe Verdi
October 24, 2009 at noon
US Encore: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 (6:30 pm local time)
Expected Running time: 3 hours, 56 minutes, 2 intermissions
Verdi's Aida is another of the most popular operas ever written. The Met's production is a lavish one and well worth seeing no matter who is in it. This performance stars Violetta Urmana as Aida, the great Dolora Zajick as Amneris, Johan Botha as Radames, and Carlo Guelfi as Amonasro. This is an excellent cast by today's standards and should be a very fine performance.
Turandot - Giacomo Puccini
November 7, 2009 at noon
US Encore: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 (6:30 pm local time)
Expected Running time: 3 hours 21 minutes, 2 intermissions
Another of the world's most popular operas in an absolutely stunning Franco Zeffirelli production. The cast includes Maria Guleghina, Marina Poplavskaya, Marcello Giordani, and Samuel Ramey. This should be a very fine performance.
Les Contes d'Hoffmann - Jacques Offenbach
December 19, 2009 at noon
US Encore: Wednesday, January 6, 2010 (6:30 pm local time)
Expected Running time: 4 hours, 2 minutes, 2 intermissions
This is another new production and is directed by the acclaimed Bartlett Sher. The Met usually assembles a top notch cast for new productions and especially for their HD broadcasts since they will eventually try to sell them on DVD. This cast includes Kathleen Kim, Anna Netrebko, Ekaterina Gubanova, Kate Lindsey, Joseph Calleja, Alan Held. I would call this a good cast (with Netrebko being the big selling name as she plays the tragic Antonia) but not necessarily a great one. Still worth seeing.
Der Rosenkavalier - Richard Strauss
January 9, 2010: Noon
US Encore: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 (6:30 PM local time)
Expected Running time: 4 hours, 45 minutes, 2 intermissions
Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier is a very popular opera but it's never been a favorite of mine. However, the Met has given us a great cast that includes Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Christine Schäfer, Eric Cutler, Thomas Allen, Kristinn Sigmundsson. Renee Fleming and Susan Graham are widely acclaimed for their portrayals in this opera and that alone makes this a must see.
Carmen - Georges Bizet
January 16, 2010
US Encore: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 (6:30 pm local time)
Expected Running time: 3 hours, 30 minutes, 1 intermission
What can I say about Carmen? If I wanted to introduce someone to their first opera, Carmen might be my choice. Again we have a new production and a fine cast which includes Barbara Frittoli, Elīna Garanča, Roberto Alagna, Mariusz Kwiecien. This should be well worth seeing.
Simon Boccanegra - Giuseppe Verdi
February 6, 2010
US Encore: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 (6:30 pm local time)
Expected Running time: 3 hours, 40 minutes, 2 intermissions
I have never seen a live production of Simon Boccanegra but I think it is unjustly neglected. The problem with this opera is that it needs a really great cast to put it over and the Met gives us exactly that with Adrianne Pieczonka, Marcello Giordani, Plácido Domingo, and James Morris. In fact, Domingo is singing the baritone role in this production. At this stage of his career, he has lost some of his top notes but is still singing at a very high level and he is assuming a few baritone roles. This should be very interesting to see how long he can still sing at such a high level. I will not be in the movie theater to see this as I will be seeing it live in New York. As far as I am concerned, this should be a great performance of a neglected masterpiece and true opera lovers will not want to miss this.
Hamlet - Ambroise Thomas
March 27, 2010 at noon
US Encore: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 (6:30 pm local time)
Expected Running time: 3 hours, 43 minutes, 2 intermissions
I doubt if any but the most fanatical opera lovers have seen this opera live in an opera house because it is rarely performed. However, from listening to this on CD, while it shouldn't replace Rigoletto (for example) it shouldn't be as neglected as it is. It is a very lovely and powerful work. Furthermore, it stars Simon Keenlyside as Hamlet (the French pronounce this Ohmm Lay) and my absolute favorite soprano, Natalie Dessay. I will also be in New York to see this at the Met because I am such a Dessay fan - and Keenlyside is a major talent. This performance also stars the wonderful Jennifer Larmore and legendary bass James Morris. The opera connoisseurs should not miss this one.
Armida - Gioachino Rossini
May 1, 2010 at noon
US Encore: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 (6:30 pm local time)
Expected Running time: 4 hours, 19 minutes, 2 intermissions
I have mixed feelings about this one. First of all, it is a wonderful opera - but a very long one. It is also a bel canto opera which is an acquired taste for some people. I happen to like these neglected bel canto operas even if they are a long sit. Furthermore, they need bel canto coloratura specialists who can effortlessly sing all the coloratura that is demanded by these roles. The Met has cast this with wonderful bel canto coloratura specialists such as Lawrence Brownlee and Bruce Ford. But the lead is given to Renee Fleming. The Met only revived this production because Ms. Fleming wanted to sing it - and I must give her a lot of credit for wanting to sing rarely performed operas. The problem is that despite Ms. Fleming's numerous virtues (and I am a big fan of hers), effortless and spectacular coloratura is not among them. She sings coloratura very carefully instead of brilliantly and virtuosically. Nonetheless, if you have a sturdy backside, I would recommend going to see this as you never know if you will get another chance to see Armida.
So there you have it. The Met's HD schedule is an excellent one with no real duds among the broadcasts and several "must sees". All true opera lovers should be in the theaters or at the Met for these. Where will you be?
Theatre locations in the metropolis
Cinemark 20 (Merriam)
5500 Antioch, Merriam, KS
913-789-7038
Cinemark 14, The Palace
500 Nichols Road, Kansas City, MO
816-756-5877
AMC Town Center 20
11701 Nall Ave, Leawood, KS
913-498-8696
AMC Olathe Studio 29 with IMAX
12075 S. Strang Line Rd, Olathe, KS
913-393-3030
Kansas City 18 Cinemas
3200 Ameristar Dr,, Kansas City, MO
816-454-7921
Southwind 12
3433 Iowa Street, Lawrence, KS
785-832-1364
Hollywood Theaters 10
5405 N. Belt Hwy, Bldg. M, St. Joseph, MO
816-233-0929
Hollywood Stadium 14
6200 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS
785-272-7440
More Featured Articles
KC Events this week and beyond
Looking for something to do this weekend? Click here for the KC Events calendar of theatre, classical music, dance and jazz events through 2011. Highlights of this week's classical music and dance offerings are in Don Dagenais' "City Classics." For current Theatre listings visit Victor Wishna's "City Stage." Enjoy!
KC Events this week and beyond
Tommy Emmanuel and the Ruel Joyce Recital Series at JCCC; Virsky Ukrainian National Dance at Harriman-Jewell; Folly Jazz Series with the Eldar Djangirov Trio; the Liberty Symphony; Cypress Quartet kicks off UMKC’s Signature Series. “Curtain Up!” begins at Quality Hill’s new space, “Tell-Tale Electric Poe” and “My First Time” continue, while “Into the Woods” ends an extended run and much, much more…
Kansas City's golden era of jazz lives on
Nestled at the intersection of those streets is The Phoenix, Kansas City's historic jazz club that has acted as a home away from home to The Scamps. As one the oldest jazz and swing bands still actively playing in the metro area, The Scamps don't rely on quirky costumes, forced dialogue, or some newly conceived hybrid of their preferred musical genre. Rather, the latest incarnation of the band is still staying true to the roots that the pioneer members planted during the Great Depression.
Three arts groups come together to present Purcell's "Fairy Queen"
Known for its offbeat programming and for featuring young singers in major roles, the Civic Opera of Kansas City has done unusual pieces before. But why would they delve into the Baroque era to produce an opera by one of the most ancient, yet revered, composers of opera, Henry Purcell?
All material contained in KCMetropolis.org is the property of or licensed for use by KCMetropolis.org. Any use, duplication, or reproduction of any or all content of this publication is prohibited except with the express written permission of KCMetropolis.org or the original copyright holders.