Gary Halvorson News

The Metropolitan Opera opens its 2008-09 season on September 22 with a gala performance that kicks off its 125th anniversary, starring Renée Fleming in three fully-staged scenes, including some of her most acclaimed portrayals. Costumes for Fleming have been specially created for each of the scenes in the Opening Night Gala by three of the world's legendary fashion designers: John Galliano, Christian Lacroix, and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.

The Metropolitan Opera opens its 2008-09 season on September 22 with a gala performance that kicks off its 125th anniversary, starring Renée Fleming in three fully-staged scenes, including some of her most acclaimed portrayals. Costumes for Fleming have been specially created for each of the scenes in the Opening Night Gala by three of the world's legendary fashion designers: John Galliano, Christian Lacroix, and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.

The Metropolitan Opera's critically-acclaimed live high-definition satellite transmissions will be seen on public television in a fourteen-part series, beginning on March 30. Great Performances at the Met, presented by Thirteen/WNET New York, will feature the broadcast premieres of all eight presentations from the 2007-08 season of 'The Met: Live in HD,' as well as the six shows from the 2006-07 season. A special prime time showing of Hansel and Gretel on March 26 will precede the series, which will air every Sunday afternoon at 12:00 p.m./EST for 14 weeks in selected public television markets. In New York, the programs will be a part of Thirteen/WNET's new SundayArts programming showcase, beginning on Sunday, March 30 with Richard Jones's new English-language production of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel. Donizetti's La Fille du Régiment (The Daughter of the Regiment), starring Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Flórez, is the final broadcast of the series on Sunday, June 29.

The Met's second season of 'Live in HD' continues on Saturday, March 15 at 1:30 pm/est with the new production of Britten's PETER GRIMES. Tenor Anthony Dean Griffey sings the title role, Patricia Racette is the kindhearted Ellen Orford, and Anthony Michaels-Moore is Balstrode. Donald Runnicles conducts. 'The tale of the iconoclast fisherman is the most powerful opera written since World War II,' said the Associated Press. 'Griffey's fascinating performance should not be missed.' Intermission features include live interviews hosted by star soprano Natalie Dessay, who opened the Met's current season with her acclaimed portrayal of Lucia di Lammermoor and stars in the upcoming 'Live in HD' transmission of LA FILLE DU REGIMENT. Ms. Dessay will interview Mr. Griffey, Ms. Racette, Maestro Runnicles, costume designer Ann Hould-Ward, and John Doyle, the Tony Award-winning director who staged the Met's new production. The live transmission is directed for telecast by Gary Halvorson; Jay Saks is audio producer. PETER GRIMES is the fifth in a series of eight performances that will be broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York via satellite into more than 350 movie theaters across the country. Tickets are $22.00 U.S. adults; $20 U.S. senior; $15.00 U.S. children. More information on tickets and theaters at all participating locations is available at http://www.metoperafamily.org/hdlive.

The Met's second season of 'Live in HD' continues on Saturday, January 12 at 1:30 PM (EST) with Verdi's Macbeth.

'Not to brag, but I've stood upon some pretty rarified podiums,' writes Glen Roven. 'But to be honest, nothing competes in the thrill department with playing a piano for a Broadway legend who is recreating an original performance. Talk about musical comedy heaven.'

Julie Taymor, Bartlett Sher, Jack O'Brien and other acclaimed directors will stage works at the Metropolitan Opera House.

With the passing of Fred Ebb, Onna White and, most recently, Cy Coleman, the 'death comes in threes' superstition seems to have a sorrowful twinge of truth.