The Metropolitan Opera production of Verdi’s masterpiece about a court jester Rigoletto

Stream from anywhere on Saturday, May 16, 2020

A scene from Rigoletto by Verdi at the Metropolitan Opera; photo by Marty Sohl

Rigoletto in Las-Vegas? Verdi’s extremely popular opera set to a powerful play by Victor Hugo seems to be destined for any epoch and impervious to the time and place transformations. With an ever-relevant fable and beloved arias widely familiar to opera fans and recognizable to those new to the genre, this opera is a time-tested favorite of every opera house.

Shifted to Las Vegas in the 1960s, Michael Mayer’s 2013 production of Rigoletto gets a modern look while telling the same centuries-old story of corruption, evil, and love. While the power of the old man curse put at the center of the tale seems less believable in the 20th century, the dirty intrigues and the ruthlessness of the lonely figures doing shady business look rather plausible.

For the free streaming on Saturday, May 16, 2020, Met Opera selected the production performance on February 16, 2013 with Zeljko Lucic as Rigoletto, Diana Damrau as Gilda, Piotr Beczala as Duke; Michele Mariotti conducts.

Opera in HD: Verdi’s Aida at the Met Opera

Monumental Met Opera production of a timeless masterpiece by Verdi with the incomparable Leontyne Price in the title role and historic star-studded cast recorded in 1985

Stream from home on May 1, 2020

A scene from Verdi's Aida at MetOpera; Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera — A scene from Verdi’s Aida at MetOpera; Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera

Verdi’s Aida, the ultimate Grand Opera, is a highlight of every opera season. The grandeur of the music calls for an equally magnificent cast.

The live recording of Aida in January of 1985 was Price’s farewell to the opera world which, brought historic significance to the event. The role of Amneris was performed by Fiorenza Cossotto with James McCracken as Radames and James Levine conducting.

The stage design recreates the pompous style of the Old Kingdom architecture in all its sumptuousness. The production director matched the decor with hundreds of performers including four horses, two brass choirs, ballet dancers, and supernumeraries trooping the stage. It all aims to convey the might and power of Egypt’s Pharaoh. And it surely fulfills the intent. That state omnipotence is skillfully contrasted against the lonely and touching scenes of soul-searching, love, and despair. This is the theater in all its might with its tricks finely brought together for the joy of the opera fans.

You can stream Aida from home on May 1, 2020. STREAM NOW

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Opera in HD: Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera

Opera in HD: Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera production of Verdi’s masterpiece about a court jester Rigoletto

Stream from anywhere on Saturday, May 16, 2020