Opera Matinee

Les contes d'Hoffman (The Tales of Hoffmann) is Offenbach's opéra fantastique based on three short stories by E. T. A. Hoffmann, a series of vignettes in which a poet reflects on the facets of three past loves, from youthful passion to mature affection. A Metropolitan Opera recorded performance with Benjamin Bernheim in the title role.

Rigoletto, Verdi's mid-to-late career heartbreaking masterpiece, is based on a controversial play by Victor Hugo of an outsider -- a jester who serves a corrupt court -- who is subjected to a curse for revenge while struggling to maintain the one beautiful element of his life. A live Metropolitan Opera production with Luca Salsi in the title role.

Puccini's Tosca, a piercing drama of love between artist Mario Cavaradossi and singer Floria Tosca torn apart by cruelty and jealousy, set against political unrest in Rome. A recorded 2024 performance from the Metropolitan Opera, featuring Lisa Davidsen in the title role.

One of Giuseppe Verdi’s most enduring classics, Aida, a tragic love story of forbidden love between members of warring factions, set in ancient Egypt. Grand opera with magnificent choruses, elaborate ensembles and beautiful arias. A new production from the Metropolitan Opera, featuring Angel Blue in the title role.

Artist's Choice: Soprano Angel Blue chooses a 2007 Metropolitan Opera production of Verdi's La Traviata starring soprano Renée Fleming as the courtesan Violetta in Verdi’s enduring and heartbreaking tale of class prejudice, thwarted love and sacrifice.

Artist's Choice: Bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green chooses a 1960 Metropolitan Opera performance of Richard Wagner's haunting tale of redemption through love starring George London as an accursed Dutchman condemned to sail the seas forever unless redeemed by the love of a faithful woman.

Artist's Choice: Soprano Lise Davidsen chooses a 1985 Metropolitan Opera production starring Jessye Norman in Richard Strauss's lighthearted "opera within an opera", a tale of rival entertainment troupes, performing high and low art that resolves in delightful form.

Artist's Choice: Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin chooses a 1964 Metropolitan Opera performance of Leonard Bernstein conducting Verdi's final and comic, Falstaff, a work based on the character from Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor, full of merriment and mischief as the knight Falstaff tries to seduce two wealthy women to gain access to their husbands’ wealth.

The Metropolitan Opera commemorates the 150th anniversary of Georges Bizet's immortal opera, Carmen, the powerful and tragic tale of a passionate women and the men who love her, in this 2010 production featuring Elīna Garanča in the title role.

Puccini’s sensitive portrayal of young bohemian artists in 19th century Paris has captured audiences for generations with some of the most memorable and moving music in opera. A live Metropolitan Opera production featuring Kristina Mikhitaryan and Joseph Calleja.

Beethoven’s only opera is a triumphant drama of love and fidelity prevailing over tyranny.
A live Metropolitan Opera performance with Lise Davidsen as Leonore, led by Susanna Mälkki.

A French double bill! The Metropolitan Opera commemorates the 100th anniversary of Ravel's fantastical L'enfant et les sortilèges in a 1981 performance, along with Poulenc's fanciful Les Mamelles de Tirésias. Led by Manuel Rosenthal.