January 2015 Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts

Hansel and Gretel

http://metopera.org/opera/hansel-and-gretel-humperdinck-tickets?icamp=hansel&iloc=hptab

The Metropolitan Opera radio broadcast season wraps up the holiday season with a family favorite, Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel.  All radio broadcasts begin at 1:00 p.m. unless specifically noted.  There are two Live in HD Theatercasts this month, which are noted "Live in HD." 

1/3       Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel   Returning for the holidays, this season's family entertainment is Richard Jones's witty production of Humperdinck's fairy-tale opera, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis, in which two children face off against a wicked witch. In a lush setting of giant chefs, suit-clad trees, and an industrial kitchen where the Witch gets what's coming to her, Aleksandra Kurzak as Gretel and Christine Rice as Hansel will lead a visual and delightful feast for our younger patrons.

1/10      Verdi:  Aida  Grand opera at its grandest: the splendors of ancient Egypt return to the stage of the Met. Verdi’s mythic love triangle features Liudmyla Monastyrska, Tamara Wilson, and Oksana Dyka sharing the title role, with Olga Borodina and Violeta Urmana as Amneris and Marcello Giordani and Marco Berti singing Radamès. Marco Armiliato and Plácido Domingo share conducting duties.

1/17      Lehar: The Merry Widow The great Renée Fleming stars as the beguiling femme fatale who captivates all Paris in Lehár’s enchanting operetta, seen in a new staging by Broadway virtuoso director and choreographer Susan Stroman (The Producers, Oklahoma!, Contact). Stroman and her design team of Julian Crouch (Satyagraha, The Enchanted Island) and costume designer William Ivey Long (Cinderella, Grey Gardens, Hairspray) have created an art-nouveau setting that climaxes with singing and dancing grisettes at the legendary Maxim’s. Nathan Gunn co-stars as Danilo and Kelli O’Hara is Valencienne. Mezzo-soprano diva Susan Graham takes on the title role later in the run. Sir Andrew Davis and Fabio Luisi conduct. "Live in HD."

1/24      Puccini:  La Bohème  Franco Zeffirelli’s classic take on Puccini’s most popular opera, the immortal tale of tragic young love, is set among the rooftops of bohemian Paris. The role of the fragile Mimì is shared by Sonya Yoncheva, Angela Gheorghiu, and Kristine Opolais, with Francesco Demuro, Michael Fabiano, and Jean-François Borras as the love-sick poet Rodolfo. Riccardo Frizza conducts.

1/31      Offenbach:  Les Contes d'Hoffmann   Vittorio Grigolo and Matthew Polenzani take turns playing the tortured poet and unwitting adventurer of the title. The roles of the three heroines are shared by an impressive lineup of singing actresses, including Hibla Gerzmava, Susanna Phillips, Erin Morley, Audrey Luna, Christine Rice, and Elena Maximova. Thomas Hampson sings the Four Villains, and James Levine and Yves Abel conduct Offenbach’s sparkling score. "Live in HD."