What Are We Up To? - The April Edition
Do April showers really bring May flowers? Why yes, they do! (At least, one hopes!) April ALSO brings us the comedic and oh-so-charming new production of Massenet’s Cendrillion, and the return of two operatic jewels: Tosca (after a winter break) and Gounod’s tragic and romantic Roméo et Juliette (which was a new production last year). As the season winds down, there certainly is no rest for the chorus! We have been practicing our French diction, that’s for sure...
Joyce Di Donato & Alice Coote in a scene from Laurent Pelly's Cendrillon. Photo: Billy Cooper/Royal Opera House
by Liz Sciblo, with contributions by Lianne Coble-Dispensa
Cendrillon: This is, of course, the famous story of Cinderella, and its exciting to have this production finally mounted at The Met, after having successes at the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, and Santa Fe Opera. Between the fanciful costumes (designed by director Laurent Pelly), the magical music, and the fabulous cast (Joyce DiDonato, Alice Coote, and Stephanie Blythe, just to name a few), this is definitely one to see. The chorus is extremely active in this production (with many choristers making their solo debuts on the Met stage as servants and fairy godmother spirits), and it's safe to say that it's been a long time since we've had this much fun in the staging process of a show! (Let's just say we've all dusted off our dancing shoes and are upping our weekly cardio sessions to prepare...) [Opens April 12th]
Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera
Roméo et Juliette: Reprising Bartlett Sher’s acclaimed production from last season, Roméo et Juliette is, of course, based on Shakespeare’s classic tale of tragic love. This gorgeous opera offers passion, jealousy, poison and most importantly, epic sword fights! The cast is absurdly good: Bryan Hymel and Ailyn Pérez are the star-crossed lovers, and Maestro Placido Domingo conducts (just days after finishing his run of Luisa Miller performances! Nothing can stop this man.). [Returns April 23rd]
The 'Te Deum' scene from Tosca. Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera.
Tosca: Sir David McVicar's smashing success of a production returns with international superstar Anna Netrebko in the title role. If you missed this production the first time around, then you'd better get your tickets fast, because there are only six more opportunities, and the first two are sold out! The Act I finale (often referred to as the 'Te Deum', pictured above) is worth the price of admission (though being a member of the chorus, I might be a little biased!). [Returns April 21st]
Intrigued? You should be. The clock is ticking! Grab those tickets before it’s too late...