James Morris News

On Friday, April 23, Deborah Voigt returns to the stage of New York's Metropolitan Opera as Senta in Wagner's Der Fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman), the first time she will sing this psychologically and vocally intense role at the Met (seven performances through May 14).

Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet returns to the Met stage for its first performances since 1897, with the powerful pairing of Simon Keenlyside in the title role and Marlis Petersen as Ophélie. Keenlyside's acclaimed interpretation of Hamlet in Geneva, London and Barcelona finally arrives in the United States, with a performance in the Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser production that was hailed by the British press as 'magnificent . . . sheer vocal genius.' Petersen, who steps in for Natalie Dessay, brings her haunting portrayal of Ophélie to the Met; she earned praise for the role during a 2006 run of Hamlet in Düsseldorf. Louis Langrée conducts a cast that includes Jennifer Larmore as Gertrude, Toby Spence in his Met debut as Laërte, and James Morris in the role of Claudius. Jane Archibald, in her Met debut, sings the role of Ophélie on April 5 and 9. The creative team is rounded out by Christian Fenouillat with set designs, Agostino Cavalca with costume designs, and Christophe Forey with lighting designs, all in their Met debuts. Performances run through April 9, with the March 27 matinee shown worldwide as part of The Met: Live in HD

James Levine has withdrawn from the four performances of Tosca and three performances of Lulu he was scheduled to conduct in April and May. He is to undergo corrective surgery for an ongoing lower back problem. Fabio Luisi will replace Levine for both Tosca (April 14, 17, 20, and 24 mat.) and Lulu (May 8, 12, 15 mat.).

Strauss's comic masterpiece of love and intrigue in 18th-century Vienna stars Renée Fleming as the aristocratic Marschallin and Susan Graham in the trouser role of her young lover Octavian. Edo De Waart conducts a cast that includes Christine Schäfer as Sophie, Eric Cutler as the Italian singer, Thomas Allen as Faninal, and Kristinn Sigmundsson as Baron Ochs.

In an incredible feat of technology, Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 played host to yet another cultural first last night, with a live, high-definition screening of ‘Hamlet' - the opera by Ambroise Thomas. Live from New York City, The Metropolitan Opera's new production drew an audience of UAE opera fans.

Joe's Pub has announced its lineup for March 29th-31st. Scheduled to appear are The Webb Sisters, Lauren Ambrose & The Leisure Class, Julia Haltigan, Josh Charles, Eli 'Paperboy' Reed and Amy Ziff.

The Metropolitan Opera's new production of Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, conducted by Met Music Director James Levine and directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, premieres on THIRTEEN'S Great Performances at the Met series.

More good news for skating aficionados: Music and choreographer details have been unveiled for 'Thin Ice,' a live, televised figure-skating reality competition that will originate from the Premier Ballroom of the MGM Grand at Foxwoods March 18 through 21, and will re-air in primetime on the ABC Television Network on and March 21 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET).

More good news for skating aficionados: Music and choreographer details have been unveiled for 'Thin Ice,' a live, televised figure-skating reality competition that will originate from the Premier Ballroom of the MGM Grand at Foxwoods March 18 through 21, and will air in primetime on the ABC Television Network on March 19 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) and March 21 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET).

More good news for skating aficionados: Music and choreographer details have been unveiled for 'Thin Ice,' a live, televised figure-skating reality competition that will originate from the Premier Ballroom of the MGM Grand at Foxwoods March 18 through 21, and will air in primetime on the ABC Television Network on March 19 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) and March 21 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET).

Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet returns to the Met stage for its first performances since 1897, with the powerful pairing of Simon Keenlyside in the title role and Marlis Petersen as Ophélie. Keenlyside's acclaimed interpretation of Hamlet in Geneva, London and Barcelona finally arrives in the United States, with a performance in the Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser production that was hailed by the British press as 'magnificent . . . sheer vocal genius.' Petersen, who steps in for Natalie Dessay, brings her haunting portrayal of Ophélie to the Met; she earned praise for the role during a 2006 run of Hamlet in Düsseldorf. Louis Langrée conducts a cast that includes Jennifer Larmore as Gertrude, Toby Spence in his Met debut as Laërte, and James Morris in the role of Claudius. Jane Archibald, in her Met debut, sings the role of Ophélie on April 5 and 9. The creative team is rounded out by Christian Fenouillat with set designs, Agostino Cavalca with costume designs, and Christophe Forey with lighting designs, all in their Met debuts. Performances run through April 9, with the March 27 matinee shown worldwide as part of The Met: Live in HD

Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet returns to the Met stage for its first performances since 1897, with the powerful pairing of Simon Keenlyside in the title role and Marlis Petersen as Ophélie. Keenlyside's acclaimed interpretation of Hamlet in Geneva, London and Barcelona finally arrives in the United States, with a performance in the Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser production that was hailed by the British press as 'magnificent . . . sheer vocal genius.' Petersen, who steps in for Natalie Dessay, brings her haunting portrayal of Ophélie to the Met; she earned praise for the role during a 2006 run of Hamlet in Düsseldorf. Louis Langrée conducts a cast that includes Jennifer Larmore as Gertrude, Toby Spence in his Met debut as Laërte, and James Morris in the role of Claudius. Jane Archibald, in her Met debut, sings the role of Ophélie on April 5 and 9. The creative team is rounded out by Christian Fenouillat with set designs, Agostino Cavalca with costume designs, and Christophe Forey with lighting designs, all in their Met debuts. Performances run through April 9, with the March 27 matinee shown worldwide as part of The Met: Live in HD

The New York Choral Society will celebrate its 51st Anniversary with a Winter Gala on March 11, 2010 at The National Arts Club.

The Opera Orchestra Of New York presents soprano Eglise Gutiérrez in recital on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Merkin Concert Hall, 8:00 p.m. accompanied by pianist Danielle Orlando.

The Opera Orchestra Of New York presents soprano Eglise Gutiérrez in recital on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Merkin Concert Hall, 8:00 p.m. accompanied by pianist Danielle Orlando. The Vidda-Award winning soprano in her New York Recital Debut will perform a wide ranging program of songs and arias by Handel, Caccini, Paisiello, Thomas, Rachmaninoff, Lecuona and Gershwin.

"Idol" surprised viewers tonight, sending the gentlemen on to perform instead of the previously scheduled women. At the top of the episode, Ryan Seacrest explained that fan favorite Crystal Bowersox was taken to the hospital and was recommended to not perform by her doctors. "Idol" producers, as well as the guys themselves, were accommodating and decided to go tonight and allow Bowersox the night to rest.

Joe's Pub has announced its lineup for March 29th-31st. Scheduled to appear are The Webb Sisters, Lauren Ambrose & The Leisure Class, Julia Haltigan, Josh Charles, Eli 'Paperboy' Reed and Amy Ziff.

After last night's disappointing performance from the women, America, as well as the judges, was hoping from a step up from gentlemen. And, while they did have a better overall showing than the women, it was another disappointing night from the "Idol" contestants. Several of the performers were good, but none seemed to up the ante and knock their song out of the park.

The Metropolitan Opera's new production of Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, conducted by Met Music Director James Levine and directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, premieres on THIRTEEN'S Great Performances at the Met series.

The New York Choral Society will celebrate its 51st Anniversary with a Winter Gala on March 11, 2010 at The National Arts Club.