The Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts Return December 6, 2014

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The Metropolitan Opera radio broadcast season kicks off in December with four operatic favorites.  All radio broadcasts begin at 1:00 p.m. unless specifically noted.  There will be nine Live in HD Theatercasts this year, which will be noted "Live in HD." 

12/6      Rossini:  Il Barbiere di Siviglia   In Bartlett Sher’s effervescent production of Rossini’s most popular opera, Isabel Leonard is the beautiful and feisty Rosina, who won’t be kept under lock and key. Lawrence Brownlee is her conspiring flame, Almaviva, and Christopher Maltman is the omnipotent barber, Figaro. Michele Mariotti conducts.

12/13    * 12:00 p.m. * Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg  James Levine returns to Wagner with a signature run of this epic comedy, back at the Met for the first time in eight years. James Morris and Michael Volle share the central role of Hans Sachs. Johan Botha reprises his indomitable Walther, and the elegant Annette Dasch is Eva. "Live in HD"

12/20    Mozart:  Le Nozze di Figaro Richard Eyre's season-opening new production of Mozart's eternal masterpiece is set in an 18th-century manor house in Seville during the 1930s. Erwin Schrott in the title role leads a stellar cast that also includes Mariusz Kwiecien as the Count and Danielle de Niese as Susanna, along with Met debutantes Rachel Willis-Sørensen as the Countess and Serena Malfi as Cherubino. Edo de Waart conducts.

12/27    Verdi:  La Traviata  Verdi's consumptive courtesan returns in Willy Decker's timeless setting, with rising sopranos Marina Rebeka and Sonya Yoncheva sharing the role of the title heroine. Stephen Costello and Francesco Demuro are Alfredo, Ludovic Tézier is Germont, and Marco Armiliato conducts.