The Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD series, now in its 12th year, is an ambassador for opera in this country and throughout the world.
Offering opera performances telecast live in local theaters on Saturday afternoons, the series gives the opportunity to hear opera in local venues at affordable prices. It’s not a substitute for an actual performance in the theater. There’s nothing as exhilarating and satisfying as attending a live performance on stage, but the telecasts are accessible, easy to attend and fun.
In addition, the series allows opera lovers to expand their knowledge of the repertory. While regional opera companies tend to stick to the tried and true, the Met reaches out with new and offbeat works that smaller companies consider too risky. This year’s Live in HD begins with Verdi’s familiar “Aida,” alternating old chestnuts like “La traviata” and “Carmen” with rarities including Puccini’s “The Girl of the Golden West,” Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur,” Poulenc’s “Dialogues of the Carmelites” and the premiere of “Mamie,” Nico Muhly’s take on the Winston Graham novel and Alfred Hitchcock film. It’s worth noting that Pittsburgh Opera successfully produced an earlier opera by Mr. Muhly, “Dark Sisters,” in 2014.
Four Pittsburgh area theaters will be offering the Met’s Live in HD operas this season: Cinemark North Hills (McCandless Crossing), Cinemark 17 Pittsburgh Mills, Cinemark Robinson Township and Monroeville Mall 12. In addition to the live Saturday performances, each will have an “encore” screening the following Wednesday evening.
The 2018-19 schedule is:
Oct. 6: Verdi: “Aida”
Oct. 20: Saint-Saens: “Samson and Dalila”
Oct. 27: Puccini: “The Girl of the Golden West”
Nov. 10: Muhly: “Marnie”
Dec. 15: Verdi: “La traviata"
Jan. 12: Cilea: “Adriana Lecouvreur”
Feb. 2: Bizet: “Carmen”
March 2: Donizetti: “The Daughter of the Regiment”
March 30: Wagner: “Die Walkuere”
May 11: Poulenc: “The Dialogues of the Carmelites”
For further details, visit: https://www.metopera.org/season/in-cinemas/
Robert Croan is a Post-Gazette senior editor.
First Published: October 5, 2018, 12:00 p.m.