Saturday January 24th: Metropolitan Opera New York presents Gershwin's Porgy and Bess
Bass-baritone Alfred Walker and soprano Brittany Renee headline one of the defining works of American music theater. With its fusion of opera, jazz, and Broadway, the Gershwins' enduring masterpiece features a number of tunes whose popularity has transcended the opera house, including the classics 'Summertime' and 'It Ain't Necessarily So.' Kwamé Ryan conducts the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus in an all-star ensemble portraying the community of Catfish Row.
Saturday January 31st: Metropolitan Opera New York presents Arabella by Richard Strauss
Strauss's elegant romance brings the glamour and enchantment of 19th-century Vienna to the Met stage. Compelling soprano Rachel Willis-Sorensen makes her role debut as Arabella, a young noblewoman in search of love on her own terms. Soprano Louise Alder makes her Met debut as her sister, Zdenka, and bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny is the dashing count who sweeps Arabella off her feet. Nicholas Carter conducts the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus.
Saturday February 7th: Metropolitan Opera New York presents Werther by Massenet
Tonight's performance was selected from the Met Archives by Lawrence Brownlee. The 1979 performance of 'Werther' at the Metropolitan Opera is a testament to Alfredo Kraus's exceptional talent as a tenor. His portrayal of the title role, 'Werther', is celebrated for its depth, truth, and aristocratic bearing. The opera, composed by Jules Massenet, is based on Goethe's novel and is known for its emotional intensity and dramatic impact. The performance at the Metropolitan Opera featured Richard Bonynge conducting, and the cast included Kathleen Battle as Sophie and Lenus Carlson as Albert. The opera's music, conducted by Richard Bonynge, was described as exquisitely textured, occasionally blanketing the singers but emerging with profound feeling for the score. This performance remains a significant contribution to the opera's history and is a must-listen for opera enthusiasts.
