More Opera

As I think about all the Live in HD from the Met broadcasts I have seen in Milwaukee and Naples, I remember almost all of them as highlights.



In the second year, 2007-08, I saw most of the offerings, beginning with Anna Netrebko in Romeo et Juliette by Gounod.

Hansel and Gretel was next, an imaginative staging, but I far prefer the more colorful candy house.

The 2007-08 season ended with La Fille du Regiment (below) which was well sung by Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Flórez but again had dark and dreary staging which made it unattractive.

 

The 2008-09 season was excellent, to be expected by then.  Few transmission problems and corporate sponsors, international venues, etc.  The Biggest of the Big Time.

In February, Anna Netrebko was breathtaking as Lucia de Lammermoor.

Dr. Atomic (above) by John Adams was interestingly staged and had some lovely music though most of it was forgettable, leaving one with the feeling it could have also been a very effective stage play dealing with Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, his brilliance compounded by his conscience.

Thais (above) stared Renee Fleming and a great costume staff.

The just ended season of 2009-10 was better than ever.

Tosca (below) with Karita Mattila and a particularly excellent Scarpia..

 Turandot.

 

Aida (above)

 

Tales of Hoffman (above)

Der Rosenkavalier with Renee Fleming and Susan Graham.

I missed Simon Boccanegra with Placido Domingo singing the baritone lead. But I will catch it another time, for sure.

The final production was Armida, about which I have already commented.

Next year 2010-11 has a great line up:

11 productions starting with a new production of Das Rheingold on October 9, 2010 and ending with another new production, Die Walküre on May 14, 2011. The remaining productions are Boris Godunov, Don Pasquale, Don Carlo, La Fanciulla del West, Iphigénie en Tauride, a rebroadcast of Lucia di Lammermoor, Le Comte Ory, Capriccio and Trovatore.What an embarrassment of riches!!