Thomas Ades’ TEMPEST ENCORE

Approx. Runtime: 3:30

Composer Thomas Adès conducts the Metropolitan Opera premiere of his 2004 work, which has been widely praised as a modern masterpiece. Director Robert Lepage recreates the interior of 18th-century La Scala, including the hidden workings underneath the stage, where Prospero, the banished Duke of Milan, practices his otherworldly arts. The magnetic baritone Simon Keenlyside stars as Prospero, a role he has sung to great acclaim in London.

Production a gift of Mrs. Bert S. Turner and Robert L. Turner 
A co-production of the Metropolitan Opera and L’Opéra de Québec 
In collaboration with Ex Machina

Donizetti’s MARIA STUARDA

 Encore: Fri., February 22, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Approx. Runtime: 3:15

Fresh from her triumph in the Met’s The Enchanted Island, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, one of the world’s most exciting singers, takes on the virtuosic bel canto role of the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots. Having scored a major success with his production of Anna Bolena, director David McVicar now turns to the second opera of Donizetti’s Tudor trilogy, which explores regal characters at fateful moments of their lives. Elza van den Heever sings Elizabeth I, and Maurizio Benini conducts.

Production a gift of The Sybil B. Harrington Endowment Fund

Mozart’s CLEMENZA DI TITO ENCORE

 Approx. Runtime: 3:13

Broadcast in HD 

The virtuosic Elina Garanca sings Sesto in Mozart’s drama set in ancient Rome. Giuseppe Filianoti is the noble Tito and Barbara Frittoli is Vitellia in this handsome revival of one of the composer’s final masterpieces. Harry Bicket conducts.

Donizetti’s L’ELISIR D’AMORE ENCORE

Approx. Runtime: 3:02

Anna Netrebko and Matthew Polenzani star in one of the greatest comic gems in opera, as the fickle Adina and her besotted Nemorino. Bartlett Sher, whose previous productions of Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Le Comte Ory, and Les Contes d’Hoffmann have delighted Met audiences, guides this lively staging, where surface charm will meet with real emotion. Mariusz Kwiecien is the blustery sergeant Belcore and Ambrogio Maestri is Dulcamara, the loveable quack and dispenser of the elixir. Maurizio Benini conducts.

Production a gift of the Monteforte Foundation, Inc., in honor of Wim Kooyker

Verdi’s UN BALLO IN MASCHERA ENCORE

Approx. Runtime: 3:54

Accompanied by a thrilling score, Verdi’s vivid characters grapple with life and love, betrayal and death. Director David Alden’s dreamlike setting provides a compelling backdrop for this dramatic story of jealousy and vengeance. Marcelo Álvarez stars as the conflicted king; Karita Mattila is Amelia, the object of his secret passion; and Dmitri Hvorostovsky is her suspicious husband. Kathleen Kim is the page Oscar, and mezzo-soprano powerhouses Dolora Zajick and Stephanie Blythe take turns singing the fortuneteller Ulrica. Fabio Luisi conducts.

Production a gift of the Betsy and Edward Cohen/Areté Foundation Fund for New Productions and Revivals

Verdi’s RIGOLETTO

Encore: Friday, April 26, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Approx. Runtime: 3:31

Director Michael Mayer has placed his new production of Verdi’s towering tragedy in Las Vegas in 1960—an ideal setting for this eternal conflict of depravity and innocence. In this production, inspired by the antics of the Rat Pack, Piotr Beczala is the womanizing Duke of Mantua, with Željko Lucic as his tragic sidekick, Rigoletto. Diana Damrau is Rigoletto’s daughter—and their victim. Michele Mariotti conducts.

Production a gift of the Hermione Foundation, Laura Sloate, Trustee; and Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Montrone

Additional funding from Marina Kellen French

Donizetti’s MARIA STUARDA ENCORE

Approx. Runtime: 3:15

Fresh from her triumph in the Met’s The Enchanted Island, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, one of the world’s most exciting singers, takes on the virtuosic bel canto role of the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots. Having scored a major success with his production of Anna Bolena, director David McVicar now turns to the second opera of Donizetti’s Tudor trilogy, which explores regal characters at fateful moments of their lives. Elza van den Heever sings Elizabeth I, and Maurizio Benini conducts.

Production a gift of The Sybil B. Harrington Endowment Fund

Verdi’s AIDA ENCORE

Broadcast in HD 

 Approx. Runtime: 3:54

 The Met’s unforgettable production of Verdi’s ancient Egyptian drama stars Liudmyla Monastyrska and Hui He. The story centers on the enslaved Ethiopian princess caught in a love triangle with the heroic Radamès, played by Roberto Alagna. The proud Egyptian princess Amneris is played by Olga Borodina. Fabio Luisi conducts this revival, which features recent choreography by Alexei Ratmansky.

Wagner’s PARSIFAL

Encore: Sun., April 7, 2013 at 1 p.m.

Approx. Runtime: 5:40

Director François Girard’s timeless new vision for Wagner’s final masterpiece explores the many facets of this mystical score, while designer Michael Levine (Eugene Onegin) creates a surreal landscape. Jonas Kaufmann stars in the title role of the innocent who finds wisdom. His fellow Wagnerian luminaries include Katarina Dalayman as the mysterious Kundry, Peter Mattei as the ailing Amfortas, Evgeny Nikitin as the wicked Klingsor, and René Pape as the noble knight Gurnemanz. Daniele Gatti conducts.

Production a gift of the Gramma Fisher Foundation, Marshalltown, Iowa. Major funding from Rolex. Additional funding from Marina Kellen French and the Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation. A co-production of the Metropolitan Opera, the Opéra National de Lyon, and the Canadian Opera Company

Zandonai’s FRANCESCA DA RIMINI

 Approx. Runtime: 3:57

Encore: Sun., April 14, 2013 at 12 p.m.

Zandonai’s compelling opera, inspired by an episode from Dante’s Inferno, returns in the Met’s ravishingly beautiful production, last seen in 1986. Dramatic soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek and tenor Marcello Giordani are the doomed lovers. Marco Armiliato conducts.

Broadcast in HD