The Metropolitan Opera New York Saturday Matinee Broadcasts - 2018-19 Season

Launched in 1931, the Met’s Saturday matinee broadcasts are the longest-running continuous classical radio series in American broadcast history. The 87th season of Saturday broadcasts will once again be heard over the Toll Brothers–Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network. You can hear the 2017/18 Season every Saturday from 7pm on Opera Night and for details of the season, view their schedule here. **Please note we will not be taking the broadcasts of December 8th, 22nd and 29th**

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Saturday December 22nd - Robert O'Dwyer's Eithne

Doireann Ní Bhriain presents Robert O'Dwyer's Eithne recorded live at the National Concert Hall, Dublin. In this romantic adaptation of a mysterious ancient Irish legend, the mortal son of Ireland's High King falls in love with the magical Eithne, daughter of the King of Tír na nÓg. A rare example of an opera with the libretto in the Irish language. Eithne stars internationally acclaimed artists soprano Orla Boylan as Eithne, baritone Gavan Ring as the High King of Ireland and tenor Robin Tritschler as Ceart, Eithne's lover. The chorus of Opera Theatre Company (now the Irish National Opera) and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra are conducted by Fergus Sheil. (This production was first broadcast on Saturday 14th October 2017)

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Saturday December 29th - Verdi's Don Carlo 

In tonight's Opera night we bring you Karajan's Don Carlo which enjoyed special status among his Verdi performances. He conducted the production on tonight's recording on numerous occasions, but on his opening night in Vienna he had a perfect constellation of singers. Amongst tonight's cast: Jose Carreras, Mirella Freni, Agnes Baltsa, Ruggero Raimondi and Edita Gruberova and the Orchestra and Chorus of the Vienna State Opera in the 1979 recording conducted by Herbert von Karajan. 

(First broadcast, Saturday August 4th, 2018)