Rutland’s Paramount Theatre and Town Hall Theater in Middlebury continue to offer the grand opera experience with the Met Opera Live in HD series from New York’s Metropolitan Opera. Performances, filmed at live performances, feature today’s great opera stars and legendary Metropolitan Opera orchestra, all directed by some of the world’s top conductors and staged by the most innovative directors.
“What began as an experiment 17 years ago has become a staple experience for opera lovers all over the world,” said Peter Gelb, the Met’s general manager. “Our 2023–24 season in cinemas reflects how opera is changing at the Met, where we’re balancing timeless classics with accessible new work that is advancing the art form and attracting younger and more diverse audiences.”
Rutland performances are shown on the big screen at The Paramount on the second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. January-May. Middlebury screenings are less predictable but feature more performances live-streamed from the Met.
'Nabucco'
Middlebury: 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6.
Rutland: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9.
In this revival of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Nabucco,” ancient Babylon comes to life in a classic Met staging of biblical proportions. Baritone George Gagnidze makes his Met role debut as the imperious King Nabucco, alongside Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska reprising her thrilling turn as his vengeful daughter Abigaille. Mezzo-soprano Maria Barakova and tenor SeokJong Baek, in his company debut, are Fenena and Ismaele, and bass Dmitry Belosselskiy repeats his celebrated portrayal of the high priest Zaccaria. Daniele Callegari conducts Verdi’s early masterpiece, which features the ultimate showcase for the great Met Chorus, the moving “Va, pensiero.” Daniele Callegari conductors; Elijah Moshinsky directs.
Approximate run time: 3 hours, 5 minutes.
‘The Life and Times of Malcolm X’
Rutland: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13.
Anthony Davis’s groundbreaking opera, which premiered in 1986, arrives at the Met at long last. Robert O’Hara, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2020 for his direction of “Slave Play,” oversees a new staging that imagines Malcolm as an everyman whose story transcends time and space. A cast of breakout artists take part in the operatic retelling of Malcom X’s life. Baritone Will Liverman, who triumphed in the Met premiere of Terence Blanchard’s “Fire Shut Up in My 4 Bones,” sings Malcolm. Kazem Abdullah conducts the newly revised score, which provides a layered, jazz-inflected setting for the esteemed writer Thulani Davis’ libretto.
Approximate run time: 3 hours, 30 minutes.
‘La Forza del Destino’
Middlebury: noon, Saturday, March 9.
Rutland: 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 12.
In this new production, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts “Verdi’s La Forza del Destino” with stellar soprano Lise Davidsen, following a string of recent Met triumphs, in her role debut as the noble Leonora. Director Mariusz Treliński delivers the company’s first new Forza in nearly 30 years, setting the scene in a contemporary world. The cast also features tenor Brian Jagde as Don Alvaro, baritone Igor Golovatenko as Don Carlo, mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk as Preziosilla, bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi as Fra Melitone, and bass Soloman Howard as both Leonora’s father and Padre Guardiano.
Approximate run time: 4 hours, 5 minutes.
‘Roméo et Juliette’
Middlebury: 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 27.
Rutland: 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 9.
In this revival of “Roméo et Juliette,” two singers at the height of their powers — soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor Benjamin Bernheim — come together as the star-crossed lovers in Charles Gounod’s Shakespeare adaptation, with Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium to conduct one of the repertoire’s most romantic scores. Bartlett Sher’s staging also features baritone Will Liverman and tenor Frederick Ballentine as the archrivals Mercutio and Tybalt, mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey as the mischievous pageboy Stéphano, and bass-baritone Alfred Walker as Frère Laurent.
Approximate run time: 3 hours, 10 minutes.
‘La Rondine’
Middlebury: 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20.
Puccini’s bittersweet love story “La Rondine” returns to cinemas, with soprano Angel Blue starring as the French courtesan Magda, opposite tenor Jonathan Tetelman as Ruggero, an idealistic young man who offers her an alternative to her life of excess. Maestro Speranza Scappucci conducts Nicolas Joël’s Art Deco–inspired staging, which transports audiences from the heart of Parisian nightlife to a dreamy vision of the French Riviera. Soprano Emily Pogorelc and tenor Bekhzod Davronov complete the sterling cast as Lisette and Prunier.
Estimated run time: 2 hours, 45 minutes.
‘Madama Butterfly’
Middlebury: 12:55 a.m. Saturday, May 11.
Rutland: 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 14.
In her Met debut, Asmik Grigorian tackles the demanding role of Cio-Cio-San, the trusting geisha at the heart of Puccini’s tragedy “Madama Butterfly.” Tenor Jonathan Tetelman is the callous American naval officer Pinkerton whose betrayal destroys her. Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong is the steadfast maid Suzuki, and baritone Lucas Meachem is the American consul Sharpless. Acclaimed maestro Xian Zhang makes her Met debut conducting Anthony Minghella’s vivid production.
Approximate run time: 3 hours.
Middlebury tickets are $26, $12 for students; call 802-382-9222 or go online to townhalltheater.org Rutland tickets are $20 (+ fees); call 802-775-0903 or go to www.paramountvt.org online. The Paramount Theatre is at 30 Center St. in Rutland. Town Hall Theater is at 68 S. Pleasant St. in Middlebury.
