Rossini's SEMIRAMIDE Comes to the Warner

The Warner Theatre's Met Opera Live in HD Season continues in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre on Saturday, March 10 at 12:55 pm with Rossini's SEMIRAMIDE. A complimentary 45 minute pre-opera lecture by Nunzio DeFilippis will be offered in the Studio Lobby at 10:55 am.

This masterpiece of dazzling vocal fireworks makes a rare Met appearance - its first in nearly 25 years - with Maurizio Benini on the podium. The all-star Bel Canto cast features Angela Meade in the title role of the murderous Queen of Babylon, who squares off in breathtaking duets with Arsace, a trouser role sung by Elizabeth DeShong. Javier Camarena as Indian king Idreno, Ildar Abdrazakov as the prince Assur, and Ryan Speedo Green as the high priest Oroe complete the stellar cast.
To purchase tickets, call the Warner Box Office at 860-489-7180 or visit warnertheatre.org.

The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD Season is sponsored by Viron Rondo Osteria. The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD Lecture Series is sponsored by Mitchell Auto Group.

Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace (1,772 seats), the Warner Theatre was described then as "Connecticut's Most Beautiful Theatre." Damaged extensively in a flood, the Warner was slated for demolition in the early 1980s until the non-profit Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts (NCAA) was founded and purchased the theatre. The Warner reopened as a performing arts center in 1983, and restoration of the main lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002. In 2008, the new 50,000 square foot Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center, which houses a 300 seat Studio Theatre, 200 seat restaurant and expansive school for the arts, was completed. Today, the Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 performances and 100,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. Over 10,000 students, pre K-adult, participate in arts education programs and classes. Together, with the support of the community, the Warner has raised close to $17 million to revitalize its facilities. NCAA's mission is to preserve the Warner Theatre as an historic landmark, enhance its reputation as a center of artistic excellence and a focal point of community involvement, and satisfy the diverse cultural needs of the region. To learn more about the Warner Theatre, visit www.warnertheatre.org