Met's 'Tristan Und Isolde' To Be Presented Live in HD

 The Met's March 22 live HD transmission of Tristan Und Isolde will use innovative live editing techniques to bring viewers into the onstage action in engaging new ways. For this transmission of Wagner's great love story, conducted by Music Director James Levine, the Met will use multiple-frame effects, so that audiences worldwide will see as many as six frames on the screen at once. This editing technique allows for close-ups, wide angles, and reaction shots to be shown on screen simultaneously-all cued to the music.

"With the use of multiple and changing images, Barbara is interpreting Tristan und Isolde specifically for large-screen viewing in movie theaters," said Met General Manager Peter Gelb. "The combination of the production's spare approach and Wagner's epic score invites this visual treatment." (This presentation will be re-edited for subsequent viewing on public television.)

Deborah Voigt sings Isolde for the first time at the Met. Tenor Robert Dean Smith makes his Met debut in the role of Tristan. Finnish bass Matti Salminen portrays King Marke and American mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung sings Brangane. Intermission features include live backstage interviews with the stars hosted by acclaimed mezzo-soprano Susan Graham. Peter Gelb will interview the transmission director, Barbara Willis Sweete (who also directed this season's HD presentation of Hansel and Gretel) about her directing approach. During the second intermission, Met Technical Director JosepH Clark will present a time-lapse video of the building of the sets. Jay Saks is audio producer.

Tristan Und Isolde is the sixth in a series of eight performances that will be transmitted live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York via satellite into more than 500 movie theaters around the world. More information on tickets and theaters at all participating locations is available at http://www.metoperafamily.org/hdlive.

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