February 2013 presentations by the Metropolitan Opera

http://www.metoperafamily.org/opera/rigoletto-verdi-tickets.aspx?icamp=rig&illoc=hphed

The Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts for Febrary include a Live in HD theater presentation of Rigoletto on the 16th and a 1:00 p.m. broadcast of Bizet's Carmen on the 23rd.

2/2        Rossini:  Le Comte Ory Reviving his turn in the comic sensation of the 2010–11 season, tenor Juan Diego Flórez once again demonstrates his unsurpassed bel canto mastery in this Rossini gem, rediscovered—and reinvigorated—in Bartlett Sher’s charming and witty production. Maurizio Benini leads the ensemble, which includes Pretty Yende in her Met Debut as Countess Adèle, Karine Deshayes in the trouser role of the page Isolier, and Nathan Gunn as the raffish Raimbaud.

2/9        Donizetti:  L'Elisir d'Amore  Anna Netrebko and Matthew Polenzani star in one of the greatest comic gems in opera, as the fickle Adina and her besotted Nemorino. Bartlett Sher, whose previous productions of Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Le Comte Ory, and Les Contes d’Hoffmann have delighted Met audiences, guides this lively staging, where surface charm will meet with real emotion. Mariusz Kwiecien is the blustery sergeant Belcore; Ambrogio Maestri and Erwin Schrott share the role of Dulcamara, the loveable quack and dispenser of the elixir. Maurizio Benini conducts.

2/16      Verdi:  Rigoletto (Live in HD) Director Michael Mayer has placed his new production of Verdi’s towering tragedy in Las Vegas in 1960—an ideal setting for this eternal conflict of depravity and innocence. Piotr Beczala is the womanizing Duke, Zeljko Lucic is his tragic sidekick, Rigoletto, and Diana Damrau sings Rigoletto's daughter, Gilda. Michele Mariotti conducts.

2/23      Bizet: Carmen The Met's hit production of Bizet's Carmen stars Anita Rachvelishvili, who made a sensational Met debut in the title role in 2010. "With her smoldering, earthy sexuality, she is ideal for the role" of the sultry gypsy (New York Times). Rising tenor Yonghoon Lee is Don José, whose doomed love for Carmen destroys them both. Kate Royal is the loyal Micaëla and Teddy Tahu Rhodes sings the swaggering bullfighter Escamillo. Michele Mariotti conducts in his Met debut.