Ridgefield Playhouse to Screen Verdi's Falstaff the Met Live in HD on December 15

Verdi's Falstaff starring Ambrogio Maestri will be Live in HD at The Ridgefield Playhouse from the stage of The Metropolitan Opera in New York on Sunday, December 15, at 5 p.m. What a comfortable way to enjoy the grand spectacle of opera! For dinner-and-opera, Bernard's (22 West Lane, Ridgefield) is offering a special $45 prix-fixe menu, or a free glass of wine with dinner before this event, when tickets are presented; reservations suggested; opens at 5 p.m. Visit ridgfieldplayhouse.org for video previews of the Met Live in HD Series which is underwritten by the following supporters: Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Joanne and John Patrick, Starbucks Coffee, Sabina and Walter Slavin, Taylor Zemo Foundation and The Ridgefield Press.

An undisputed master of Falstaff, Music Director James Levine conducts Verdi's opera for the first time at the Met since 2005. Robert Carsen's production --the first new Met Falstaff since 1964 -- is set in the English countryside in the mid-20th century. Ambrogio Maestri (last season's Dulcamara in the Opening Night production of L'Elisir d'Amore) sings the title role of the brilliant and blustery Sir John Falstaff, opposite a marvelous ensemble that includes Angela Meade, Stephanie Blythe, Lisette Oropesa, and Franco Vassallo.

The 2013-2014 season of the Met Live in HD at The Ridgefield Playhouse will continue with Dvo?ák's Rusalka, Saturday, February 8, at 12:55 p.m.; Bordin's Prince Igor, Saturday, March 1, 12 p.m.; Massenet's Werther, Saturday, March 15, at 12:55 p.m. & Sunday, March 16, at 12 p.m.; Puccini's La Bohème, Saturday, April 5, 12:55 p.m.; Mozart's Così Fan Tutte, Saturday, April 26, at 12:55 p.m.; Rossini's La Cenerentola, Saturday, May 10, 12:55 p.m.

For tickets ($25 adults, $20 seniors/members, $15 students, $18 each for all 10 in the series), call the box office at(203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.