Moody's Reports Metropolitan Opera's Credit Rating Remains Despite $1 Million Surplus >>
Despite seeing a $1 million surplus after it ended its last fiscal year, the Metropolitan Opera's credit rating still hasn't changed. According to Moody's Investors Service, the company may have seen some lightness in the box office, but it still yields large donor support in light of its recent season.
Kaija Saariaho First Woman in a Century to Premiere Piece with Metropolitan Opera >>
The Metropolitan Opera's 2016-17 season will prove to be a testament to the progress of women in the field. Finnish composer, Kaija Saariaho, and her heralded composition, "L'Amour de Loin," will be featured during the season, which marks a milestone victory as the piece is the first from a woman in over a century.
Jonas Kaufmann Cancels 'Manon Lescaut' Performance at Met Opera, Replaced by Roberto Alagna >>
It appears the Metropolitan Opera is highly susceptible to singers calling out sick (or perhaps it's due to the weather). Jonas Kaufmann, in an unfortunate recurrence, has canceled his performances of 'Puccini's Manon' Lescaut at the Metropolitan Opera. Filling in for Kaufmann is none other than fellow star, tenor Roberto Alagna.
The Metropolitan Opera to Drop Blackface from Fall Season Opener 'Othello' >>
Just announced, The Metropolitan Opera will change its staging of Verdi's "Othello" so that it no longer includes its traditional blackface-style makeup. The fall season opening performance will be the first time in the production's history since 1891 without the makeup.
Live Broadcast of Metropolitan Opera's 'Merry Widow' Starring Renée Fleming, Kelli O'Hara in Movie Theaters >>
Select theaters around the nation will be participating in a live, high-definition broadcast of "The Merry Widow" starring opera singer Renée Fleming. "The Merry Widow" is a Metropolitan Opera operetta by Franz Lehár featuring Fleming as the beguiling femme fatale Hanna, who captivates the Paris social seen. Susan Stroman, known for her Broadway productions including the Tony Award-winning musicals "Crazy for You," "Contact" and "The Producers," directs and choreographs the show. Other performers featured include baritone Nathan Gunn as Hanna’s lover Danilo, tenor Alek Shrader as the young nobleman Camille de Rosillon and baritone Sir Thomas Allen as the Baron Zeta. Broadway star Kelli O’Hara, best known for her acclaimed performances in "South Pacific" and "The Light in the Piazza," makes her Met debut as the Baron’s coquettish wife Valencienne.
Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov Announce St. Petersburg as Wedding Destination but 'Not in Winter' >>
It was announced that Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov had made plans to tie the knot earlier this year. And now, the couple announced St. Petersburg as their destination with Yusif chiming in "next summer," probably in August.
REVIEW: Sonya Yoncheva Debuts Memorable Mimì in Met's Middling 'Bohème' >>
Recently, the Metropolitan Opera has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Be it pre-season labor disputes with the man Peter Gelb, opening night unrest care of Leon Klinghoffer and Rudy Guiliani or just a simple technical glitch during the broadcast at your local cinema, what's been lost as of late is a lot. Such controversies, however inflated, do obscure the institution's real mission statement. First and perhaps foremost, is the fact that the Met remains this country's most enduring repertory company. For every Klinghoffer or Iolanta premiere in 2014-15, there are as many, if not more, reheated Aidas and prefab Meistersingers. Come the holidays, highly touted new productions of Le Nozze di Figaro and The Merry Widow will run alongside evergreen faire like Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Hansel and Gretel. And, let's be honest, it is the latter, lighter of these programming options that the casual opera-goer is wont to experience there at Lincoln Center. In fact, Mr. Gelb is banking on it.
Bow Out: Chicago Radio Station WHPK-FM to Stream 'Death of Klinghoffer' After Met Opera Refuses >>
Since the big wigs at The Metropolitan Opera — cough, Pete Gelb — have been scared into submission, Chicago's WHPK-FM radio station will take on a simulcast of John Adams's controversial "The Death of Klinghoffer."
Rudy Giuliani and George Pataki to Lead, NYPD to Join Metropolitan Opera Protests for John Adams' 'The Death of Klinghoffer' on Opening Night >>
NYPD and protestors will congregate in front of Lincoln Center for the premiere of The Metropolitan Opera's latest staging of John Adams' controversial (and equally brilliant) The Death of Klinghoffer. Joining in their voice, too, is opera advocate and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Russian Bass Ildar Abdrazakov Stars in 'Le Nozze di Figaro' at Met Opera, Borodin's 'Prince Igor' Opening October 22 >>
In the case of world-renowned, Russian-born bass Ildar Abdrazakov, 37, Italian opera has made him a premiere singer in the operatic world. A native of Ufa, capital of the Russian republic of Bashkortostan, Ildar now has taken his voice to a new level, and he will perform in the Metropolitan Opera's production of 'Prince Igor,' to open Oct. 22.
Anna Netrebko Brings Down the Metropolitan Opera as Lady Macbeth in Verdi's Classic >>
One would think that if Anna Netrebko announced a new role, it would be met with excitement. However, this wasn't the case when Anna said she would go out for Lady Macbeth. But in light of her performance in Verdi's classic, Netrebko proved she can transcend any role.
Post-Lockout, 'Klinghoffer' Protests Aside, Metropolitan Opera Looks Grand on Opening Night with Mozart's 'Le Nozze di Figaro' >>
As opening night took to the Metropolitan Opera, crowds gathered for the latest production of Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro." And given its great reception, the strife that has followed the Met recently has seemingly been swept under the rug.
The Kids Aren't Alright: Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and ASO Forced From First Seven Weeks of Season >>
The fight between the heads at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and its musicians has been viciously ongoing. For the parent organization, their next move targets the kids as they suspend the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and its auditions this season.
PAPE14: Metropolitan Opera Offers Free Glass of Champagne with René Pape Solo Recital Ticket Purchase >>
We've written about it before, but now there's an incentive--meaning the upcoming performance from renowned bass René Pape on September 28 at The Metropolitan Opera will be giving away a free glass of champagne with the price of a ticket.
Ted Cruz Will NOT Attend Lincoln Center Protests for Met's 'The Death of Klinghoffer' >>
Controversy has fallen on the shoulders of the Metropolitan Opera, as protestors will band together outside Lincoln Center on Monday against the staging of John Adams' The Death of Klinghoffer. However, the protest will not include Republican Senator Ted Cruz.
