On Saturday I went to the opera at The Met. Unfortunately, not in New York, but at my local movie theater. It was an amazing experience! Fathom Events produces the live HD transmissions to select movie theaters across the country. I have always wanted to go, and I got to see Gluck's Orfeo eu Euridice this weekend. In a word: fabulous.
Stephanie Blythe, mezzo-soprano (I have a special place in my heart for mezzos) protrayed the famed hero Orpheus in a magnificent trouser performance. Mark Morris' coreography was delightful in this "modern" version of the opera and James Levine directed a fantastic orchestra. Isaac Mizrahi designed costumes that evoked just the right amount of nostalgia and awe, without taking away from the musical performance, of course. With Danielle de Niese singing the role of Euridice, this opera sprang to life with wonderful musical technicality and expression by all musicians.
I can't wait to attend the last four shows in the 2008-09 season:
February 7 - Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti), starring Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon
March 7 - Madama Butterfly (Puccini), starring Cristina Gallardo-Domas and Marcello Giordani
March 21 - La Sonnambula (Bellini), starring Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Flórez
May 9 - La Cenerentola (Rossini), starring Elina Garanca and Lawrence Brownlee