Metropolitan Opera

“Francesca da Rimini” Makes a Rare Appearance

March 22, 2013, 10:36 am

Riccardo Zandonai’s opera “Francesca da Rimini” was first performed at the Metropolitan Opera in 1916 but has been revived only sporadically since.

‘Don Carlo’ Returns to the Met

March 18, 2013, 10:13 am

Giuseppe Verdi’s “Don Carlo,” based on Friedrich Schiller’s play, is an epic opera, a love story and father-son conflict set during the Spanish Inquisition.

What Happens in Mantua Stays in … Vegas

February 19, 2013, 11:22 am

“Rigoletto” remains one of the greatest operas with a cast that is as fine as anyone could put together at the present time.

Opera Review: Joyce DiDonato Rules the Stage as Maria Stuarda

January 31, 2013, 7:54 am

Donizetti’s 1834 opera, based on Schiller’s play “Mary Stuart,” is about the conflict between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots.

Opera Review: ‘Turandot’ at the Met

January 17, 2013, 4:24 pm

“Turandot” was Puccini’s last opera, unfinished at his death and completed by Franco Alfano.

Opera Review: Ladies Night at ‘Les Troyens’ at the Met

December 24, 2012, 8:50 am

While men may be the warriors in the epic opera, women clearly dominate the Met’s performance of Hector Berlioz’s “Les Troyens”—a revival of Francesca Zambello’s 2003 [...]

‘Drama Queens’ Ranks as Operatic Dream

December 19, 2012, 12:28 pm

In real life, a drama queen can be a pain in the neck, but Joyce DiDonato “Drama Queens” is pure delight.

Opera Review: Un Ballo in Maschera

November 30, 2012, 12:59 pm

Verdi’s librettist Antonio Somma based his script on an actual assassination at a masked ball.

Opera Review: ‘La Clemenza di Tito’

November 27, 2012, 10:56 am

Regicide seems the hot topic at the Metropolitan Opera this season.

Opera Review: ‘L’Elisir d’Amore’

October 17, 2012, 5:11 pm

Some great operas take time to achieve popularity with audiences and critics. For example, Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” initially received hostile reviews and a lack of [...]