Danielle De Niese News

American soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen, who last week won First Prize at the prestigious Operalia competition, will make her Met debut as Countess Almaviva in this December's performances of Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro. Willis-Sørensen will sing the role on December 4, 8, 12, 15, and 20 matinee, replacing the originally announced Amanda Majeski, who now sings the September and October performances of the opera.

Met Music Director James Levine conducts Mozart's barbed romance Cosi fan tutte, a comic masterpiece about the romantic complications that ensue when a pair of friends decide to test their fiancees' fidelity.

American Soprano Amanda Majeski will be singing the role of Countess Almaviva in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro in replacement of Marian Poplavskaya, who has withdrawn due to health reasons.

Composer Jimmy López and librettist Nilo Cruz heard their music and words come to life recently when members of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago sang through portions of Bel Canto backstage at the Civic Opera House on Friday, July 11. Sir Andrew Davis conducted the workshop, with pianists Maureen Zoltek and Craig Terry accompanying 11 singers performing multiple roles.

International opera sensation Danielle de Niese is taking on a new role today, becoming an 'IRC Voice' to help the International Rescue Committee raise awareness of the needs of refugees and people who have been displaced by conflict, religious persecution or political oppression around the world. Danielle is the latest talent to become an 'IRC Voice,' joining a group of young, prominent artists including Morena Baccarin, Rashida Jones, John Legend, and Piper Perabo, who have all committed to do their part to speak up on behalf of some of the world's most vulnerable.

THE MET: LIVE IN HD SUMMER ENCORES presents THE ENCHANTED ISLAND, a new baroque fantasy inspired by the pastiches of the 18th Century. Stars Joyce Didonato, David Daniels and Placido Domingo.

Spend a summer's eve experiencing the grandeur of opera close to home at The Ridgefield Playhouse Handel's The Enchanted Island is broadcast Live in HD from the Met tonight, July 16, at 6 p.m. Fans of Baroque opera have the world's best singers, glorious music of the Baroque masters, and a story drawn from Shakespeare in The Enchanted Island, which showcases the talents of William Christie, David Daniels, Joyce DiDonato and Pacido Domingo. Behind-the-scenes tours and interviews make this event even more memorable.

Two spectacular operas from the Met are coming to The Ridgefield Playhouse as encore productions this month. Verdi's Shakespearean masterpiece Otello stars Johan Botha in the title role opposite acclaimed soprano Renee Fleming as Desdemona today, July 9. On Wednesday, July 16, Handel's The Enchanted Island showcases the talents of William Christie, David Daniels, Joyce DiDonato and Pacido Domingo. These performances start at 6 p.m. Advantages of the HD broadcasts are the interesting camera angles, behind-the-scenes tours and interviews.

Spend a summer's eve experiencing the grandeur of opera close to home at The Ridgefield Playhouse Handel's The Enchanted Island is broadcast Live in HD from the Met on Wednesday, July 16, at 6 p.m. Fans of Baroque opera have the world's best singers, glorious music of the Baroque masters, and a story drawn from Shakespeare in The Enchanted Island, which showcases the talents of William Christie, David Daniels, Joyce DiDonato and Pacido Domingo. Behind-the-scenes tours and interviews make this event even more memorable. For tickets ($25 adults, $20 seniors/members, $15 students, $18 each for all in the series), call the box office at (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. -- Photos courtesy of the Met

THE MET: LIVE IN HD SUMMER ENCORES presents THE ENCHANTED ISLAND, a new baroque fantasy inspired by the pastiches of the 18th Century. Stars Joyce Didonato, David Daniels and Placido Domingo.

Two spectacular operas from the Met are coming to The Ridgefield Playhouse as encore productions this month. Verdi's Shakespearean masterpiece Otello stars Johan Botha in the title role opposite acclaimed soprano Renee Fleming as Desdemona on Wednesday, July 9. On Wednesday, July 16, Handel's The Enchanted Island showcases the talents of William Christie, David Daniels, Joyce DiDonato and Pacido Domingo. These performances start at 6 p.m. Advantages of the HD broadcasts are the interesting camera angles, behind-the-scenes tours and interviews.

Met Music Director James Levine conducts the first Live in HD performance of Mozart's barbed romance Così fan tutte, a comic masterpiece about the romantic complications that ensue when a pair of friends decide to test their fiancée's fidelity. Lesley Koenig's sleek production features a cast filled with rising Met stars, including Susanna Phillips and Isabel Leonard as the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella; Matthew Polenzani and Rodion Pogossov as their fiancés, Ferrando and Guglielmo; and Danielle de Niese as their feisty maid Despina. Maurizio Muraro is the cynical Don Alfonso.

The Met: Live in HD Series continues today, April 26th at 1 pm in the Warner's Nancy Marine Studio Theatre with Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte.

The Met: Live in HD Series continues on Saturday, April 26th at 1 pm in the Warner's Nancy Marine Studio Theatre with Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte.

The spectacular operas that grace the stage of the Met in New York come to The Ridgefield Playhouse through the power of high-definition broadcasts with exciting advantages: Exclusive behind-the scenes interviews with the stars and close-ups that capture the emotions of the cast. On Saturday, April 26, at 12:55 p.m., Music Director James Levine makes his long-awaited return to the Met podium to conduct Mozart's beloved opera, Cosi Fan Tutte, about testing the ties of love. The cast is filled with youthful Met stars: Susanna Phillips, Isabel Leonard, Matthew Polenzani, Rodion Pogossov and Danielle de Niese. Rossini's La Cenerentola will be Live in HD on Saturday, May 10, at 12:55 p.m., starring mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, singing her first Met performance of the Cinderella title role, and the high-flying tenor Juan Diego Florez, as her Prince Charming. A peerless pair of Rossini virtuosos, it's a vocal tour de force for mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and Juan Diego Florez. Alessandro Corbelli and Luca Pisaroni complete the cast, with Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leading the effervescent score.

Met Music Director James Levine conducts the first Live in HD performance of Mozart's barbed romance Così fan tutte, a comic masterpiece about the romantic complications that ensue when a pair of friends decide to test their fiancée's fidelity. Lesley Koenig's sleek production features a cast filled with rising Met stars, including Susanna Phillips and Isabel Leonard as the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella; Matthew Polenzani and Rodion Pogossov as their fiancés, Ferrando and Guglielmo; and Danielle de Niese as their feisty maid Despina. Maurizio Muraro is the cynical Don Alfonso.

Ticket holders may enjoy a special $45 prix-fixe menu at Bernard's (20 West Lane, Ridgefield), or a free glass of wine with dinner, the day of this event when tickets are presented; reservations suggested. The Live in HD Series are underwritten by 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, The Ridgefield Press and Whistle Stop Bakery.

The Baroque pastiche The Enchanted Island, a hit when it premiered at the Met in 2011, returns for its first revival on February 26. New cast members Susan Graham (Sycorax) and Andriana Chuchman (Miranda) join many of the principal singers who appeared in the work's world premiere: David Daniels as Prospero, Plácido Domingo as Neptune, Danielle de Niese as Ariel, Anthony Roth Costanzo as Ferdinand, and Luca Pisaroni as Caliban. The four mismatched Athenian lovers will be sung by Elizabeth DeShong, who sang Hermia in the world premiere, joined by new cast members Janai Brugger (Helena), Andrew Stenson (Demetrius), and Nicholas Pallesen (Lysander) completing the quartet of Athenian lovers. In the video below, watch acclaimed bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni transform before your very eyes!

The Baroque pastiche The Enchanted Island, a hit when it premiered at the Met in 2011, returns for its first revival on February 26. New cast members Susan Graham (Sycorax) and Andriana Chuchman (Miranda) join many of the principal singers who appeared in the work's world premiere: David Daniels as Prospero, Plácido Domingo as Neptune, Danielle de Niese as Ariel, Anthony Roth Costanzo as Ferdinand, and Luca Pisaroni as Caliban. The four mismatched Athenian lovers will be sung by Elizabeth DeShong, who sang Hermia in the world premiere, joined by new cast members Janai Brugger (Helena), Andrew Stenson (Demetrius), and Nicholas Pallesen (Lysander) completing the quartet of Athenian lovers. BroadwayWorld has a complete look below!

The Baroque pastiche The Enchanted Island, a hit when it premiered at the Met in 2011, returns for its first revival tonight, February 26.