The Magic Flute The Magic Flute

“A beloved holiday tradition continues.”

You better sit down kids You better sit down kids

If Sunday’s performance of Magic Flute at the Met demonstrated one thing, it is that opera targeted at children must be just as good as (if not better than) opera targeted at adults.

Bass instinct Bass instinct

Günther Groissböck’s ridiculously entertaining Baron Ochs and Sir Simon Rattle’s enthralling conducting soared highest during a mostly excellent revival of Der Rosenkavalier.

Der Rosenkavalier Der Rosenkavalier

The Strauss-Hofmannsthal sex comedy returns to the Met tonight at 7:00.

Sitting Pretti Sitting Pretti

The Metropolitan Opera today announces two cast changes for its forthcoming production of Verdi’s La Traviata, opening January 10, 2020. 

The real deal The real deal

Yusif Eyvazov dominated Friday’s Met premiere of Pikovaya Dama with a fearless, world-class portrayal that instantly transformed the opera into December’s must-see event.

It’s now or Neva It’s now or Neva

In preparation for her much-awaited Met debut, Lise Davidsen sings the arioso from Queen of Spades.

Seal the deal Seal the deal

Yusif Eyvazov will sing Hermann in the performances of Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades on November 29 and December 2 and 5, replacing Aleksandrs Antonenko, who has withdrawn due to illness.”

Singing through Singing through

A near-full house attended the Jessye Norman Memorial Celebration at the Met on Sunday afternoon, the auditorium packed with family, friends, colleagues, and fans of the late soprano, who passed away on September 30 of this year.

La bohème La bohème

That bohemian opera returns to the airwaves tonight at 7:25 PM.

Let your love flow Let your love flow

Saturday afternoon’s performance of Le Nozze di Figaro at the Met was awash with contradictions.

Le nozze di Figaro Le nozze di Figaro

Listen and discuss, cher public, beginning at 12:55 PM. Photo: Marty Sohl/The Metropolitan Opera

Unfriended Unfriended

The Metropolitan Opera announced today that longtime [almost 40 years!] Artistic Administrator Jonathan Friend will be stepping down from his position following the end of the 2019–20 season.

A place in the sun A place in the sun

Friday evening’s Met premiere of Akhnaten was a resounding triumph and an outstanding testament to Philip Glass’s enduring operatic vision.

Endlessly engrossing Endlessly engrossing

It seems a travesty that Philip Glass’s Akhnaten, one of the seminal works of the 20th by one of America’s most iconic composers, is only just receiving its Met premiere in 2019, some 35 years after its first performance!

Akhnaten Akhnaten

The Metropolitan Opera premiere of Akhnaten begins at 7:55 PM.

Count your blessings Count your blessings

Etienne Dupuis will sing the Count in the February 5, 8, and 11 performances of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, replacing Mariusz Kwiecien.

Orfeo ed Euridice Orfeo ed Euridice

Gluck’s masterpiece returns to the streamwaves tonight for your listening and chatting pleasure.

We’ll always have Paris We’ll always have Paris

At Friday night’s performance of La Bohème at the Met, the cast seemed to lean into (and gamble upon) the production’s enduring popularity.

Drag me to hell Drag me to hell

My first-ever Met Sunday opera brought the welcome return of Gluck’s sublime Orfeo ed Euridice in an enchanting afternoon that combined elegant conducting, joyous dancing and Jamie Barton’s extraordinary hero.

Orfeo ed Euridice Orfeo ed Euridice

Gluck’s sublime Orfeo ed Euridice makes a welcome return to the Met.

Puppets and cherry blossoms Puppets and cherry blossoms

I find it difficult to experience Madama Butterfly without also experiencing an odd fracturing of the self.

Porgy and Bess Porgy and Bess

A second helping of The Gershwins’ gorgeous folk opera from the Met.

Orientation Orientation

There were plenty of Turan-do’s and only a few Turandon’ts at the Met’s Turandot Sunday afternoon.