Anna Netrebko and Mariusz Kwiecien in “Eugene Onegin”
Tickets are now on sale for the eighth season of the Metropolitan Opera’s award-winning “Live in HD” series, co-presented by NCM Fathom Events. This year’s lineup kicks off Oct. 5 with Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” starring baritone Mariusz Kwiecien in the title role, soprano Anna Netrebko as Tatiana and tenor Piotr Beczala as Lenski in a new production directed by Deborah Warner and conducted by Valery Gergiev. (Coincidentally, Gergiev and his Mariinsky Orchestra are on a U.S. tour this fall, with a stop Oct. 2 at Symphony Center.)
This year’s “Live in HD” lineup consists of 10 simulcasts, down from 11 last season. The performances will be beamed to cinemas worldwide, including 169 U.S. markets and 1,900 global outlets. In a change this season, encore screenings will occur the following Wednesday night after the original Saturday simulcast.
“We are pleased to once again bring an exciting mix of operas, including such popular favorites as ‘Tosca’ and ‘La boheme,’ to opera fans across the nation and around the world,” said Met general manager Peter Gelb in a statement. “This season also marks the highly anticipated return of [Met music director] James Levine, who will conduct two of the season’s HD transmissions, which should delight opera fans across the globe.”
The remaining “Live in HD” simulcasts:
Oct. 26, Shostakovich’s “The Nose,” a revival of the Met’s hit 2010 production, with baritone Paulo Szot reprising the opera’s lead role and Gergiev on the podium.
Nov. 9, Puccini’s “Tosca,” with soprano Patricia Racette in the title role, tenor Roberto Alagna as Mario Cavaradossi and baritone George Gagnidze as Scarpia.
Dec. 14, Verdi’s “Falstaff,” with Angela Meade, Stephanie Blythe, Lisette Oropesa and Franco Vassallo, conducted by James Levine.
Feb. 8, Dvorak’s “Rusalka,” with soprano Renée Fleming (and Lyric Opera creative consultant) in the title role, tenor Piotr Beczala as the prince, mezzo Dolora Zajick as Ježibaba and Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium.
March 1, Borodin’s “Prince Igor,” with bass-baritone Ildar Abdrazakov in the title role and Gianandrea Noseda in the pit.
March 15, Massenet’s “Werther,” with tenor Jonas Kaufmann and Elīna Garanča in the leads, conducted by Alain Altinoglu.
April 5, Puccini’s “La boheme,” with Anita Hartig as Mimì, Vittorio Grigolo as Rodolfo and Susanna Phillips as Musetta.
April 26, Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte,” with Susanna Phillips, Isabel Leonard, Matthew Polenzani, Rodion Pogossov and Danielle de Niese. Conducted by James Levine.
May 10, Rossini’s “La cenerentola,” with mezzo Joyce Di Donato in the title role, tenor Juan Diego Florez (Ramiro) and baritone Luca Pisaroni (Alidoro), conducted by Met principal conductor Fabio Luisi.
For tickets, go to FathomEvents.com or metopera.org.
