The updates on Brad Wilber‘s new Met Futures page are arriving almost daily now, with perhaps the most startling recent news the “removal” of Juan Diego Flórez from a projected new production of I puritani in April 2014. But there’s more to it, after the jump. Read more »
La Cieca hears that the “all 20th century” concept of the first Gerard Mortier season at NYCO may be subject to modification. According to an impeccably reliable source, the first season
will include a rarely-seen French Grand Opera and an evening centered around pieces of Verdi done with a double chorus – one all African-American, one all Caucasian that will tell stories of today’s New York. During the first season we can also expect a new Pelleas et Melisande, but the plan for Nixon in China has been abandoned due to Gelb’s producing it in 2010-11. NYCO and The Met are committed to being divergent – aiming toward no overlap in the repertory.
On the horizon for 2011-2012: a “massive” production of Billy Budd to feature Nathan Gunn in the title role for the first time in New York. . . at The Park Avenue Armory.
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The recent death of Anthony Minghella leaves at least two Met projects in limbo. First is the opera commissioned from Osvaldo Golijov, Daedalus, currently scheduled for the 2011-2012 season. Minghella was set to serve as librettist and to direct the completed work.
According to Variety, the late director’s plans at the Met also included a new production of Eugene Onegin to open the 2012 season, replacing the Robert Carsen staging currently used at the Met and telecast last year. (La Cieca’s guess: this Onegin is for Anna Netrebko and Mariusz Kwiecien).
La Cieca has heard that New York City Opera General Manager (Designate) Gerard Mortier is planning a new production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte for the 2012 season, directed by Austrian film director Michael Haneke.
Cher Public