L'Elisir d'Amore, Met's 2012-2013 Season Opening Gala Premiere, Met, NYC 24. Sep 2012

L’ELISIR D'AMORE
Gaetano Donizetti -- Felice Romani

Met’s 2012-2013 Season Opening Night Gala Premiere
Met, New York City 24. Sep 2012

LEADING TEAM
Maurizio Benini: Conductor
Bartlett Sher: Stage Director
Michael Yeargan: Set Designer
Catherine Zuber: Costume Designer
Jennifer Tipton: Lighting Designer

CAST
Anna Netrebko: Adina
Matthew Polenzani: Nemorino
Mariusz Kwiecien: Belcore
Ambrogio Maestri: Dulcamara
Anne-Carolyn Bird: Giannetta
Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera

PRESS REVIEWS
Met season opener: "L'Elisir", reviewed - Anne Midgette - The Washington Post - 2012-09-25
Met opera opens season with sweet "Elisir" - Mike Silverman (AP) - The State - 2012-09-25

VIDEOCLIPS
Anna Netrebko, Matthew Polenzani and Mariusz Kwiecien at L'Elisir d'Amore Act I trio dress rehearsal on 20. Sep 2012. Video provided by The Metropolitan Opera

Anna Netrebko and Matthew Polenzani at L'Elisir d'Amore dress rehearsal on 20. Sep 2012. Video provided by The Metropolitan Opera

Gala Premiere, Manon, Met, NYC 26. Mar 2012

Yesterday night at the Met it was the Gala Premiere of the new Laurent Pelly's production of Massenet's masterpiece Manon starring the soprano Anna Netrebko in the tittle role and the tenor Piotr Beczala as the Chevalier des Grieux, both of them making their house role debuts. Tony Award-winning Paulo Szot sang the role of Lescaut and David Pittsinger was the Count des Grieux. On the podium, the Met's Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi.

 Manon is a co-production of the Metropolitan Opera; Royal Opera House; Covent Garden, London; Teatro alla Scala, Milan and Thèâtro du Capitole, Toulouse. Anna Netrebko had previously sung the title role of Manon in Laurent Pelly's production at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London in June/July 2010 and in Tokyo in September 2010, as part of a Royal Opera Tour to Japan. A nine-performance run starting on 26. March is scheduled now at the Met.

On 26. March, the premiere was live broadcast on Sirius XM and streamed live on the Met website.

On 7. April, the matinee will be transmitted live to more than 1,700 movie theaters around the world as part of the Met: Live in HD series, as well as broadcast live via the Toll Brothers–Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network. In addition to the Met: Live in HD transmission on April 7, four performances – including the opening night’s – will be broadcast live on Sirius XM radio.

VIDEOS
Manon, Dress Rehearsal, Met 22. Mar 2012: "Gavotte" excerpt


Manon, Dress Rehearsal, Met 22. Mar 2012: "St. Sulpice" excerpt


Manon, Dress Rehearsal, Met 22. Mar 2012: Act IV trio excerpt

Met Opera Pannel Discussion with Anna Netrebko, Piotr Beczala and Mariusz Kwiecien on 17. Mar 2012

A Met Opera Pannel Discussion with opera stars Anna Netrebko, Piotr Beczala and Mariusz Kwiecien, on the occasion of the upcoming Massenet's Manon performances at the Met, was held on 17. Mar 2012.

Erwin Schrott will be Dulcamara in the last shows of L'elisir d'amore at the Met

The Met has announced that Erwin Schrott will sing the role of Dulcamara in the last four performances of Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, featuring Anna Netrebko as Adina, Matthew Polenzani as Nemorino and Mariusz Kwicien as Belcore.

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 30. Jan 2013 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), Erwin Schrott (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Maurizio Benini  

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 2. Feb 2013 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), Erwin Schrott (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Maurizio Benini  

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 6. Feb 2013 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), Erwin Schrott (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Maurizio Benini  

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 9. Feb 2013 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), Erwin Schrott (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Maurizio Benini

Anna Netrebko will open the Met's 2012-2013 Season

The Met has already officially announced the 2012-2013 season and an on-line brochure is available.

Anna Netrebko will open the Met's 2012-2013 season on 24. Sep 2012 as Adina in a new Bartlett Sher's production of Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore with Matthew Polenzani as Nemorino, Mariusz Kwiecien as Belcore and Ambrogio Maestri as Dulcamara (Sep/Oct). It has not been announced yet who will sing the role of Dulcamara on the second part of the run in Jan/Feb. The performances will be conducted by Maurizio Benini.

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met’s 2012-2013 Season Opening Night Gala Premiere, Met, New York City, 24. Sep 2012 – Anna Netrebkoª (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), Ambrogio Maestri (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Mautizio Benini 

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 27. Sep 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), Ambrogio Maestri (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Mautizio Benini 

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 1. Oct 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), Ambrogio Maestri (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Mautizio Benini 

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 5. Oct 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), Ambrogio Maestri (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Mautizio Benini  

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 10. Oct 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), Ambrogio Maestri (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Mautizio Benini  

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 13. Oct 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), Ambrogio Maestri (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Mautizio Benini [The Met: Live in HD]

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 30. Jan 2013 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), NN (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Mautizio Benini  

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 2. Feb 2013 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), NN (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Mautizio Benini  

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 6. Feb 2013 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), NN (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Mautizio Benini  

L’Elisir d’Amore, Met, New York City, 9. Feb 2013 – Anna Netrebko (Adina), Matthew Polenzani (Nemorino), Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore), NN (Dulcamara), NN (Giannetta); Bartlett Sher (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Mautizio Benini 

Peter Gelb talks about the Met's 2011-2012 season

Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, tallks about the Met's 2011-2012 season.

The video contains some excerpts of the Met's 2011-2012 Opening Night Premiere on 26. Sep 2011 starring Anna Netrebko as Anna Bolena.

Watch the full episode. See more SundayArts.

Meet Anna Netrebko at the Met Opera Shop on Wednesday,12. Oct at 2:00 PM

Anna Netrebko, currently starring as Anna Bolena at the Met, will be signing copies of her new album "Live at the Metropolitan Opera" at the Met Opera Shop on Wednesday, 12. Oct at 2:00 PM

Anna Bolena, Opening Night Premiere, Met, NYC 26. Sep 2011

Anna Netrebko, the world's most charismatic soprano, brought down the house yesterday night at the Opening Gala Premiere of the Met's 2011-2012 Season as Anna Bolena, being this the first time ever Donizetti's masterpiece was perfomed at the Metropolitan Opera.

The production was by David McVicar and the performance was conducted by Marco Armilato. The cast featured Ekaterina Gubanova as Jane Seymour, Ildar Abdrazakov as Henry VIII and Stephen Costello as Lord Percy in the main roles.

For the sixth straight year, the Opening Night was transmitted live to multiple giant screens in Times Square. Approximately 2,000 seats were available on a first come, first served basis, with additional standing room provided. The performance was also shown on a screen on the Met façade, with approximately 3,000 seats available on Lincoln Center’s Josie Robertson Plaza. Free tickets, with a limit of two per person, were distributed at the Met box office. Pre-show coverage, including red-carpet interviews, hosted by Deborah Voigt, started at 6:00 PM EST.

The Opening Night Gala was broadcast live on Metropolitan Opera Radio on SiriusXM and streamed live on the Met’s website. Both transmissions also featured pre-show coverage, starting at 6:00 PM EST.

Anna Netrebko made her outstanding worlwide debut as Anna Bolena on 2. April 2011 at the Wiener Staatsoper. Deutsche Grammophon will release a live video recording of those performances. A 2 DVD video will be internationally released on 14. October 2011 and the Blu-Ray disc version will be released on 4. November 2011.

PROGRAMME

ANNA BOLENA
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Text by Felici Romani

Met's 2011-2012 Season Opening Night, Met, NYC 26. Sep 2011

CAST
Anna Bolena: Anna Netrebko
Giovanna Seymour: Ekaterina Gubanova
Smeton: Tamara Mumford
Lord Riccardo Percy: Stephen Costello
Enrico VIII: Ildar Abdrazakov
Lord Rochefort: Keith Miller
Sir Hervey: Eduardo Valdes

THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Production: David McVicar
Set Designer: Robert Jones
Costume Designer: Jenny Tiramani
Lighting Designer: Paule Constable
Choreographer: Andrew George

Conductor: Marco Armiliato

LIBRETTO
Anna Bolena | Italian / Spanish Libretto | Atto 1 | Atto 2

PRESS REVIEWS
Mike Silverman (AP), in an outstanding, in-deep and detailed review of Anna Bolena's Opening Night Premiere at the Met, writes "Netrebko, always a naturally charismatic presence on stage, has now at age 40 grown into the vocal demands of the role. Her dark, syrupy, slightly melancholy tone has deepened and taken on more power, without any noticeable loss of lyric freedom at the top of her range. In fact, she has worked hard to cultivate a respectable trill — something she was criticized for lacking in earlier forays into the bel canto repertory". Mr Silverman adds "So she can melt our hearts one moment with a soft high C of great delicacy, then pin us to backs of our seats the next with a ferocious outburst of notes cascading over more than an octave."
2 Annas: Netrebko as 'Bolena' conquers Met | By Mike Silverman (AP) | Washington Examiner | 27. Sep 2011.

Anthony Tommasini writes in the New York Times: "‎Then at the end of this “Mad Scene,” when Anna, restored to horrific reality, curses the king and his new queen, Giovanna (Jane Seymour), and stalks off to her execution, Ms. Netrebko dispatched Donizetti’s cabaletta, all brilliant coloratura runs and vehement phrases, with a defiance that brought down the house."  
A Queen’s Delusion and Defiance Opens the Met Season | By Anthony Tommasini | The New York Times | 27. Sep 2011.

James Jorden, in his article for the New York Post, states that "The new monarch — ruling not over England but the Met — is Anna Netrebko, whose radiant performance at the company’s opening night Monday catapulted her to “prima donna assoluta”: undisputed superstar". In his review of the premiere, Mr. Jorden writes "It’s music that demands everything in a diva’s arsenal, and Netrebko delivered, her ravishing soft high C’s and delicate trills contrasting with slashing coloratura plummeting through the full soprano register".
Netrebko makes 'Anna'-xtroardinary queen | By James Jorden | The New York Post | 27. Sep 2011

Olivia Giovetti writes in WQXR "Her effortless stage persona and technique (showing signs of refinement in recent months) is what seemed to inspire her colleagues to rise to the occasion, and a luscious tone made her a natural in the role of Henry VIII’s star-crossed second wife. Though Netrebko has had many star turns in her decade of performing with the Met, this surely ranks as her most assertive as she fearlessly careened from desperate embraces and stares to delirious “Ah mio signors!” in the Act I finale to a rage-and-guilt-laden confrontation with her romantic rival and a spitfire reckoning scene with her husband and former lover."
Anna Netrebko Sets a Royal Standard as 'Anna Bolena' | By Olivia Giovetti | WQXR | 27. Sep 2011

Zachary Woolfe, in his review for the New York Observer, states "Ms. Netrebko’s voice, at 40, is warm and full, without edge. Her appeal is deceptively simple: when she sings, you don’t want her to stop. Her performance is both daring and assured. At the end of Act I, she almost chokes out “Guidici? Ad Anna?” (“Judges? For Anne?”) when she realizes her fate has been sealed, then telescopes the following note outward, pivoting from shock to rage. She faces upstage at key moments, trusting that she can convey emotion through posture alone."
Bravo Bolena! Soprano Anna Netrebko Dazzles in Met Production | By Zachary Woolfe | The New York Observer | 28. Sep 2011

Anne Midgette writes for The Washington Post "In the aria in the final scene, when the character is lapsing in and out of madness, she sat back and let her signature limpid, round, melting tone pour out. The audience rewarded her with a deserved ovation, and the singer acknowledged their applause with a smile."
Opera review: ‘Anna Bolena’ at Metropolitan Opera | By Anne Midgette | The Washinton Post | 28. Sep 2011

Howard Kissel writes for the Huffington Post "There is only one reason even to consider mounting it -- a spectacular dramatic soprano. And the Met has one in Anna Netrebko. It is a score with a huge range and many treacheries, but at no point did the fearless Netrebko give any indication that there were difficulties. Her voice was sure and luminous throughout and at its most radiant in the dramatic outbursts. In a break with tradition Netrebko gets a solo call when the final curtain falls. The house went wild. There was an impression of almost girlish joyousness on her face as she realized what she had achieved." 
Anna Bolena | By Howard Kissel | Huffington Post | 28. Sep 2011

Joe Dziemianowicz writes for the NY Daily News "Netrebko's voice was ripe, graceful and full-bodied. She was at her strongest when Anna's grip on reality was at its weakest. An 11th-hour aria in which a delirious Anna recalls happier times brought such thunderous applause that Netrebko seemed to break character and flashed a smile. No matter. This diva had earned it."
Metropolitan Oprera 'Anna Bolena' star Anna Netrebko has a voice to die for | By Joe Dziemianowicz | NY Daily News | 29. Sep 2011

As it can be seen in the selected reviews shown above, most of the critics pointed out and several ones were not amused with the fact that Anna Netrebko slightly wroke the character flashing a smile at the end of her famous, difficult and wonderfully sung aria Al dolce guidami in the final scene of the opera. This issue has been masterfully addressed by Zachary Woolfe in his article Grin and Bear It: Why Anna Netrebko's Smile Got the Critics Riled published on the New York Observer on 5. October 2011. Mr Woolfe collects some of the comments made by reviewers and gives a short history of breaking character on stage.
Grin and Bear It: Why Anna Netrebko's Smile Got the Critics Riled | By Zachary Woolfe | The New York Observer | 5. Oct 2011

Jill Krementz covers the Opening Night Gala Premiere for the New York Social Diary. Check out also the magnificent blog JS Julie Skarratt Photograpy.

A short TV coverage of the Openeing Night can be seen at the NY1 channel.

A video excerpt of the 1. Act's finale can be seen at the Anna Bolena Videos of the Met website.

A video excerpt with Anna Netrebko singing "coppia iniqua", the last scene of Anna Bolena, filmed during a rehearsal at the Met, can be seen at the Video Library of the New York Times.

Donizetti's Anna Bolena, starring Anna Netrebko in the title role, runs at the Met through 18. October 2011, with two additional performances on 1. February and 4. February 2012. The performance on 15. October 2011 will be transmitted live to movie theaters around the world, including Russia, Israel and China for first time ever, within the Met: Live in HD program.

PHOTOS
Check out the pictures of the Anna Bolena Met's official photo album

METROPOLITAN OPERA VIDEO EXCERPTS
Anna Netrebko sings the title role in this Act I excerpt from Donizetti's "Anna Bolena" at Opening Night of the Met's 2011-12 Season. Video courtesy of The Metropolitan Opera.

TV NEWS
Anna Netrebko as Anna Bolena at the NTV news


AUDIO EXCERPTS
"Come innocente giovane" [5:67] - Anna Bolena, Met, NYC 26. Sep 2011


"Giudici! ad Anna" [03:27] - Anna Bolena, Met, NYC 26. Sep 2011

"Piangete Voi?...Al dolce guidami...Coppia Iniqua" [22:36] - Anna Bolena, Met, NYC 26. Sep 2011

Anna Netrebko opens tonight the Met's 2011-2012 season making her Met role debut as Anna Bolena

Anna Netrebko opens tonight the Met's 2011-2012 season making her Met role debut in the title role of Donizetti's "Anna Bolena" in a production by David McVicar, conducted by Marco Armilato. The cast features Ekaterina Gubanova as Jane Seymour, Ildar Abdrazakov as Henry VIII and Stephen Costello as Lord Percy.


ANNA BOLENA
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Text by Felici Romani

Met's 2011-2012 Season Opening Night, Met, NYC 26. Sep 2011

CAST
Conductor: Marco Armiliato
Anna Bolena: Anna Netrebko
Giovanna Seymour: Ekaterina Gubanova
Smeton: Tamara Mumford
Lord Riccardo Percy: Stephen Costello
Enrico VIII: Ildar Abdrazakov
Lord Rochefort: Keith Miller
Sir Hervey: Eduardo Valdes

THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Production: David McVicar
Set Designer: Robert Jones
Costume Designer: Jenny Tiramani
Lighting Designer: Paule Constable
Choreographer: Andrew George

EXPERIENCE OPENING NIGHT AT THE MET
If you are not able to attend live the show at the Met, there are several ways to experience opening night.

For the sixth straight year, Opening Night will be transmitted live to multiple giant screens in Times Square. Approximately 2,000 seats will be available on a first come, first served basis, with additional standing room provided. Pre-show coverage, including red-carpet interviews hosted by Deborah Voigt, starts at 6pm EST.

The performance will also be shown on a screen on the Met façade, with approximately 3,000 seats available on Lincoln Center’s Josie Robertson Plaza. Pre-show coverage, including red-carpet interviews, starts at 6pm EST. Free tickets, with a limit of two per person, will be distributed at the Met box office beginning Sunday, September 25, at noon.

The Opening Night Gala will be broadcast live on Metropolitan Opera Radio on SiriusXM and streamed live on the Met’s website. Both transmissions feature pre-show coverage, starting at 6pm EST.

ANNA BOLENA PERFORMANCES AT THE MET STARRING ANNA NETREBKO
Performances of Anna Bolena at the Met starring Anna Netrebko will take place in two runs. A first run of 7 performances, from 26. September to 18. October, and a second run of 2 performances on 1. and 4. February 2012.

Anna Bolena, 2011-2012 Season Opening Night Gala Premiere, Met, New Yor 26. Sep 2011 – Anna Netrebkoª (Anna Bolena), Ekaterina Gubanova (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costelloª (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakovª (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumfordª (Smeton), Keith Miller (Lord Rochefort), Eduardo Valdes (Sir Hervey); David McVicarª (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera Houseª, Marco Armiliatoª [Sirius/XM Radio Broadcast][Met live webstream]  

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 30. Sep 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Ekaterina Gubanova (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), Keith Miller (Lord Rochefort), Eduardo Valdes (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato  

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 3. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Ekaterina Gubanova (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato [Sirius/XM Radio Broadcast] 

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 6. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Ekaterina Gubanova (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato  

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 10. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Ekaterina Gubanova (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato [Sirius/XM Radio Broadcast]  

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 15. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Ekaterina Gubanova (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato [The Met: Live in HD]  

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 18. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Ekaterina Gubanova (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato 

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 1. Feb 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato 

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 4. Feb 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato [Met Saturday Matinee Broadcasts]

ANNA BOLENA LIVE BROADCASTS FROM THE MET
Different performances of the run will be broadcast live on Sirius/XM, through the Saturday Matinee Broadcast series, streamed live on the Met website or transmitted live to movie theaters around the world, within the Met: Live in HD series. The broadcast's schedule is as follows:

Anna Bolena, 2011-2012 Season Opening Night Gala Premiere, Met, New Yor 26. Sep 2011 – Anna Netrebkoª (Anna Bolena), Ekaterina Gubanova (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costelloª (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakovª (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumfordª (Smeton), Keith Miller (Lord Rochefort), Eduardo Valdes (Sir Hervey); David McVicarª (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera Houseª, Marco Armiliatoª [Sirius/XM Radio Broadcast][Met live webstream]  

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 3. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Ekaterina Gubanova (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato [Sirius/XM Radio Broadcast]  

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 10. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Ekaterina Gubanova (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato [Sirius/XM Radio Broadcast]  

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 15. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato [The Met: Live in HD] 

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 4. Feb 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato [Met Saturday Matinee Broadcasts]

ANNA NETREBKO ROLE DEBUT AS ANNA BOLENA
Anna Netrebko made her outstanding worlwide debut as Anna Bolena on 2. April 2011 at the Wiener Staatsoper. Deutsche Grammophon will release a live video recording of those performances. A 2 DVD video will be internationally released on 14. October 2011 and the Blu-Ray disc version will be released on 4. November 2011.

Dress Rehearsal, Anna Bolena, Met, NYC 22. Sep 2011

The Metropolitan Opera’s sixth season of free open dress rehearsals has begun on 22. September with the company premiere of Donizetti’s Anna Bolena, starring Anna Netrebko in the title role. The production, which opens the Met’s 2011-12 season on 26. September, is directed by David McVicar and conducted by Marco Armiliato. The cast also stars Ekaterina Gubanova as Jane Seymour, Ildar Abdrazakov as Henry VIII, Stephen Costello as Lord Riccardo Percy and Tamara Mumford as Smeton.

The 2,500 free tickets, limited to two per person, have been distributed through an online drawing held on the Met’s website.



ANNA BOLENA
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Text by Felici Romani

Dress Rehearsal, Met, NYC 22. Sep 2011

CAST
Conductor: Marco Armiliato
Anna Bolena: Anna Netrebko
Giovanna Seymour: Ekaterina Gubanova
Smeton: Tamara Mumford
Lord Riccardo Percy: Stephen Costello
Enrico VIII: Ildar Abdrazakov

THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Production: David McVicar
Set Designer: Robert Jones
Costume Designer: Jenny Tiramani
Lighting Designer: Paule Constable
Choreographer: Andrew George

REPORTS
Howard's wife, Paula, attended the show and sent a message to her husband at the intermission. Howard shared Paula's impressions with us:

"She was so impressed with costumes, lighting and staging but emphasized that singing was simply glorious. Costello is wonderful as was rest of cast. She said that this was Anna's new defining moment."

John also attended the show and said:

"I was very fortunate to attend the dress rehersal for Anna Bolena today at the Met. In spite of a stage elevator glitch the performance was one of the best I have ever seen. Well done to the cast and crew of the Met and to the generous benefactors who make it happen. I enjoyed Anna's performance most of all, she owns this role. I have tickets to a performance of Anna Bolena later in the season. I can't wait to see her perform the role again." 

Check La Cieca's Blog Parterre Box for more reports.

VIDEO
"Coppia Iniqua" - Anna Bolena, Met, NYC 22. Sep 2011

Anna Netrebko at the Met's free Summer HD Festival

The Metropolitan Opera's free Summer HD Festival opens with a screening of Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" starring Anna Netrebko on Saturday, August 27 at Lincoln Center Plaza.

Anna Netrebko revives her sensational turn in this sophisticated bel canto comedy, opposite Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecien, and John Del Carlo in the title role. Music Director James Levine conducts Otto Schenk’s production.

This performance was originally transmitted live on November 13, 2010.

UPDATE 26. Aug 2011
Due to the forecasted weather this weekend, the Live in HD Festival screenings for Saturday and Sunday are cancelled.

Deutsche Grammophon releases the album "Anna Netrebko - Live at the Metropolitan Opera"

Deutsche Grammophon releases the album "Anna Netrebko - Live at the Metropolitan Opera".

The CD, which will be released on 16. Sep 2011, includes works by Prokofiev, Mozart, Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi, Gounod, Offenbach and Puccini.

Anna Netrebko sings with top opera singers such as Dimitri Hvorostovsky, Juan Diego Florez, Roberto Alagna, Joseph Calleja and Piotr Beczala.

Valery Gerviev, Sylvain Cambreling, Placido Domingo and James Levine conduct the Metroplitan Opera Orchestra.

Live At The Met features excerpts from live performances on the Met stage from La Boheme, Don Giovanni, War &Peace, I Puritani, Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Romeo etJuliette, Don Pasquale and Lucia di Lammermoor.

TRACK LIST
1. Bellini I Puritani Act 2 Aria: "Qui la voce" Elvira Rec. 1/6/2007
2. Prokofiev War & Peace Act 1, Sc. 1 "Ya ne budu.." + Duet "Kak solntze za garoi" Natasha Rec. 3/2/2002
3. Mozart Don Giovanni Act 2 Aria: "Vedrai carino" Zerlina Rec. 2/15/2003
4. Donizetti Don Pasquale Act 3, Finale Finale: "Senz'andar lungi ... La morale in tutto questo" Norina Rec. 4/15/2006
5. Verdi Rigoletto Act 3 Terzetto: "Ah piu non ragiono" Gilda Rec. 12/17/2005
6. Gounod Roméo et Juliette Act 4, Sc.1 Duet: "Nuit d'hyménée!" Juliette Rec. 12/15/2007
7. Gounod Roméo et Juliette Act 4, Sc.4 Aria: "Ah Dieu! Quel frisson...Amour, ranime mon courage" Juliette Rec. 12/15/2007
8. Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor Act 2, Sc.5 Aria: "Il dolce suono...Ardon gli incensi..." Lucia Rec. 2/7/2009
9. Offenbach Les Contes d'Hoffmann Act 3 Duet: "Pourtant, ô ma fiancée" ... C'est une chanson d'amour" Antonia Rec. 12/19/2009
10. Puccini La Bohème Act 3 Aria: "D'onde lieta usci" MimÌ Rec. 2/27/2010
11. Puccini La Bohème Act 1 Duet: "O soave fanciulla" MimÌ Rec. 2/27/2010

Information about the cast and conductor for each one of the above shown recording dates can be found at the Anna Netrebko Performances Database.

Check the Deutsche Grammophon "Live at the Metroplitan Opera" special site

Deutsche Grammophon Promotional Videoclip

BREAKING NEWS - Anna Netrebko and Joseph Calleja will not join the Met Tour to Japan

Met officials said on Monday that star soprano Anna Netrebko and star tenor Joseph Calleja will not take part of the Met Tour to Japan 2011. The two stars dropped out at the last minute due to their concerns about nuclear radiation following the March earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant disaster.

Ms. Netrebko has made a public statement posted on her official website. "This was an incredibly difficult decision for me; it was made on a very personal level with a great deal of pain and conflicting emotions." said Netrebko.

Ms. Netrebko and Mr. Calleja only made their intentions known last week, days before the begin of the tour. In a statement, the Met said, "Ms. Netrebko changed her mind because of the emotional weight of having also lived through the tragedy of Chernobyl." Mr. Calleja "also had last-minute misgivings", the Met said.

James Levine, due to health issues, and Jonas Kaufmann also dropped out of the tour some weeks ago.

Barbara Frittoli, who sings the role of Elisabeth in Verdi's "Don Carlos", will substitute Ms. Netrebko as Mimi in Puccini's "La Bohème". Marina Poplavskaya will join the tour to sing Elisabeth, a role she filled during the season in New York.

The Met contacted the tenors Marcelo Álvarez, Rolando Villazón and Alexey Dolgov, and they agreed to fill in for performances by Mr. Calleja. Mr. Alvarez will sing the role of Rodolfo in two performances of Puccini's "La Bohème" and Mr. Alvarez and Mr.Villazón will each sing the role of Edgardo in one performance of Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor". Piotr Beczala already was taking turns in both roles.

James Levine withdraws from Met Tour to Japan

The Met reports that maestro James Levine has withdraw from the three-week tour to Japan scheduled this June. “Following his doctors’ advice, James Levine is taking the summer off to rest and recuperate from his ongoing back condition,” the Met said in a statement.

The principal guest conductor, Fabio Luisi will take over conducting the runs of Puccini’s “La Bohème”, starring Anna Netrebko, and Verdi’s “Don Carlo” in Japan. Gianandrea Noseda is still scheduled to lead Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor”.

BREAKING NEWS - The Asian Tour of Netrebko and Schrott has been postponed

The Asian Tour of Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott, who was initially planned from 24. June to 9. July 2011, has been postponed due to organization reasons. New dates have yet to be announced.

Anna Netrebko still plans to go to Japan with the Met tour where she will sing the role of Mimi in Puccini's "La Bohème" in Nagoya and Tokyo and she will give a concert with Mariusz Kwiecien in Tokyo, everything conducted by James Levine.

Check out Anna Netrebko's 2010-2011 season for further details.

Deutsche Grammophon releases "Don Pasquale" DVD from the "Met: Live in HD" on 17. May 2011

Deutsche Grammophon releases Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" DVD from the "Met: Live in HD" series on 17. May 2011.

Composer: Gaetano Donizetti
Conductor: James Levine
Artists: Anna Netrebko, Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecien, John Del Carlo
Orchestra: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Chorus: Metropolitan Opera Chorus
Production: Otto Schenk


Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Running Time: 2 hrs. 22 min.

Release Date: 5/17/11

Anna Netrebko in Anna Bolena and Manon at the Met's 2011-2012 season

The Metropolitan Opera has just announced the Met's 2011-2012 season. An online brochure of the new season, complete with videos and audio clips can be seen at the Met's site.

Anna Netrebko will open the season on September 26, 2011 singing the title role in the Metropolitan Opera Gala premiere of Donizetti's "Anna Bolena". The cast features Elina Garanca as Giovanna (Jane Seymour), Stephen Costello as Lord Percy, Ildar Abdrazakov as Enrico (Henry VIII) and Tamara Mumford as the Queen’s page, Smeton. The conductor will be Marco Armiliato and the production will be directed by David McVicar. Anna Netrebko will sing the title role of "Anna Bolena" in nine out of twelve performances, seven of them are scheduled in a first run to October 28, 2011 and the remaining two performances are scheduled on February 1 and February 4, 2012.

The performance on October 15, 2011 will be transmited live to movie theaters around the world as part of the program The Met: Live in HD.

Anna Bolena, 2011-2012 Season Opening Night Gala Premiere, Met, New Yor 26. Sep 2011 – Anna Netrebkoª (Anna Bolena), Elina Garancaª (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costelloª (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakovª (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumfordª (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicarª (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera Houseª, Marco Armiliatoª 

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 30. Sep 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato 

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 3. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato 

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 6. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato 

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 10. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato 

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 15. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato [The Met: Live in HD]

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 18. Oct 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato 

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 1. Feb 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato 

Anna Bolena, Met, New York 4. Feb 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Stephen Costello (Lord Riccardo Percy), Ildar Abdrazakov (Enrico VIII), Tamara Mumford (Smeton), NN (Lord Rochefort), NN (Sir Hervey); David McVicar (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Marco Armiliato

Anna Netrebko will return to the Met on March 26, 2012 to sing the title role of Massenet's "Manon" in a Gala premiere. This is a co-production of the Metropolitan Opera, New York, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, the Teatro alla Scala, Milan and the Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse directed by Laurent Pelly. The cast features Piotr Beczala as Chevalier Des Grieux, Paulo Szot as Lescaut and David Pittsinger as Comte Des Grieux. The conductor will be Fabio Luisi. Nine performances are scheduled running from March 26 to April 23, 2012.

This is the same production Netrebko sang at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London and at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in Tokyo taking part of the Royal Opera Japan Tour last summer.

The performance on April 7, 2012 will be transmited live to movie theaters around the world as part of the program The Met: Live in HD.

Manon, Met, New York 26. Mar 2012 – Anna Netrebkoª (Manon Lescaut), Piotr Beczalaª (Le Chevalier des Grieux), Paulo Szotª (Lescaut), David Pittsingerª (Le Comte des Grieux), NN (Guillot de Morfontaine), NN (De Brétigny), NN (Poussette), NN (Javotte), NN (Rosette), NN (Innkeeper); Laurent Pelly (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Fabio Luisi 

Manon, Met, New York 31. Mar 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Manon Lescaut), Piotr Beczala (Le Chevalier des Grieux), Paulo Szot (Lescaut), David Pittsinger (Le Comte des Grieux), NN (Guillot de Morfontaine), NN (De Brétigny), NN (Poussette), NN (Javotte), NN (Rosette), NN (Innkeeper); Laurent Pelly (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Fabio Luisi 

Manon, Met, New York 3. Apr 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Manon Lescaut), Piotr Beczala (Le Chevalier des Grieux), Paulo Szot (Lescaut), David Pittsinger (Le Comte des Grieux), NN (Guillot de Morfontaine), NN (De Brétigny), NN (Poussette), NN (Javotte), NN (Rosette), NN (Innkeeper); Laurent Pelly (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Fabio Luisi 

Manon, Met, New York 7. Apr 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Manon Lescaut), Piotr Beczala (Le Chevalier des Grieux), Paulo Szot (Lescaut), David Pittsinger (Le Comte des Grieux), NN (Guillot de Morfontaine), NN (De Brétigny), NN (Poussette), NN (Javotte), NN (Rosette), NN (Innkeeper); Laurent Pelly (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Fabio Luisi [The Met: Live in HD] 

Manon, Met, New York 11. Apr 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Manon Lescaut), Piotr Beczala (Le Chevalier des Grieux), Paulo Szot (Lescaut), David Pittsinger (Le Comte des Grieux), NN (Guillot de Morfontaine), NN (De Brétigny), NN (Poussette), NN (Javotte), NN (Rosette), NN (Innkeeper); Laurent Pelly (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Fabio Luisi 

Manon, Met, New York 14. Apr 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Manon Lescaut), Piotr Beczala (Le Chevalier des Grieux), Paulo Szot (Lescaut), David Pittsinger (Le Comte des Grieux), NN (Guillot de Morfontaine), NN (De Brétigny), NN (Poussette), NN (Javotte), NN (Rosette), NN (Innkeeper); Laurent Pelly (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Fabio Luisi 

Manon, Met, New York 17. Apr 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Manon Lescaut), Piotr Beczala (Le Chevalier des Grieux), Paulo Szot (Lescaut), David Pittsinger (Le Comte des Grieux), NN (Guillot de Morfontaine), NN (De Brétigny), NN (Poussette), NN (Javotte), NN (Rosette), NN (Innkeeper); Laurent Pelly (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Fabio Luisi 

Manon, Met, New York 20. Apr 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Manon Lescaut), Piotr Beczala (Le Chevalier des Grieux), Paulo Szot (Lescaut), David Pittsinger (Le Comte des Grieux), NN (Guillot de Morfontaine), NN (De Brétigny), NN (Poussette), NN (Javotte), NN (Rosette), NN (Innkeeper); Laurent Pelly (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Fabio Luisi 

Manon, Met, New York 23. Apr 2012 – Anna Netrebko (Manon Lescaut), TBA (Le Chevalier des Grieux), Paulo Szot (Lescaut), David Pittsinger (Le Comte des Grieux), NN (Guillot de Morfontaine), NN (De Brétigny), NN (Poussette), NN (Javotte), NN (Rosette), NN (Innkeeper); Laurent Pelly (Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Fabio Luisi

Anna Netrebko will open Met's 2012-2013 season with Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore"

La Cieca reports that the opening night of the Met’s 2012-2013 season has been settled. Starring in a new Bartlett Sher production of Donizetti's "L’elisir d’amore" will be Anna Netrebko, Matthew Polenzani and Mariusz Kwiecien, with Dulcamara and conductor TBA.

CNN International: Anna Netrebko Revealed

On 17. November 2010 at 08:30 AM (GMT) CNN International has premiered "Anna Netrebko: Revealed"
a 23-minute long documentary about the Russian superstar soprano Anna Netrebko.

The awesome documentary is splitted into three parts and it can be seen at the CNN International website.

The first part "Anna Netrebko: The modern face of Opera" starts with Anna Netrebko in New York in October 2010. She is leaving her new appartment, located just a few blocks away from Lincoln Center, going walking to the Met. Anna is rehearsing the revival of Otto Schenk's production of Donizetti's "Don Pasquale". The film shows Anna Netrebko, Mariusz Kwiecien and John Del Carlo rehearsing backstage some scenes of Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" under the precise and detailed direction of Otto Schenk.The fist part concludes with some nice images of a very young Anna in Krasnodar, some of her early performances at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg and a short interview with Maestro Valery Gergiev.

The second part "Anna Netrebko: Diva turned mother" starts with Anna Netrebko in London in June 2010. She is singing the title role of a new production of Massenet's "Manon" at the Royal Opera House. The film shows Anna arriving at the stage door of the Royal Opera House and warming up the voice at her dressing room. It includes footage from her current performances of Massenet's "Manon" at the Royal Opera House and Gounod's "Roméo et Juliette" at the Salzburger Festspiele 2010. The film show us also Anna as a mother, playing with her cute son Tiago or cooking at her new appartment in New York. Some other really nice moments are when Anna is refreshing some scenes of Bellini's "I Puritani" at the piano and Tiago is around there "playing" also the piano.

The third part "On stage with Anna Netrebko" starts with Anna Netrebko in Baden-Baden in July 2010. She is in a recording session of Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater" with Marianna Pizzolato and the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia under the musical direction of maestro Antonio Pappano. This recording will be released by Deutsche Grammophon in March 2011. The film reveals the cover of this upcoming CD and includes also some images of a funny photo session with Anna and Marianna held in London in June 2010. After Baden-Baden and London, the film drive us back to New York in October 2010 to show us some on-stage rehearsals and the opening of Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" at the Met.

Don Pasquale, Met, New York 6. Nov 2010

Saturday, 6. November 2010. Third performance of the run of Otto Schenk's revival of Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" at the Metropolitan Opera House of New York, featuring John Del Carlo in the title role, Anna Netrebko as Norina, Matthew Polenzani as Ernesto and Mariusz Kwiecien as Dr. Malatesta. The conductor is James Levine.

Don Pasquale
Opera buffa in three acts
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Text by Giovanni Ruffini

Metropolitan Opera House, New York 6. November 2010

John Del Carlo, Don Pasquale
Anna Netrebko, Norina
Matthew Polenzani, Enesto
Mariusz Kwiecien, Dr. Malatesta
Bernard Fitch, Notary

James Levine, Conductor
Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House

Otto Schenk, Production
Rolf Langenfass, Set and Costume Designer
Duane Schuler, Lighting Designer

About the Opera
Opera Background
Cast and Characters
About the Composer
Story and Music
Synopsis

Reports
Howard and his wife Paula attended this performance of "Don Pasquale" at the Metropolitan Opera House. Howard kindly wrote the following review for the blog.

Don Pasquale, Met, New York 6. Nov 2010
By Howard 

The performance of Donizetti's Don Pasquale at the Metropolitan Opera was truly a tour de force and exceeded all of our expecations. The cast was marvelous and uniform throughout.

     John Del Carlo, Don Pasquale (has also played in the Barber of Seville)
     Anna Netrebko, Norina (a reprise performance for her at the Met)
     Matthew Polenzani, Ernesto (a beautiful lyric tenor)
     Mariusz Kwiecien, Dr. Malatesta (a handsome match for Norina)

The opera begins with Dr. Malatesta singing a beautiful lyric melody which sets the stage for a comical farce based on love and playing jokes on an old codger. Both Mariusz Kwiecien and Matthew Polenzani were elegant and supportive, but the afternoon was dominated by Norina's antics. Her second scene putting on a pair of stockings on a the edge of the bed is the highlight of the opera showcased in a clip from the dress rehearsal at the MET. Her impish charm and seductive nature is amply paired with a lustrous voice which fills the opera house which hold nearly 4000 patrons. This scene was well choreographed and was a sheer delight to behold. She literally stopped the show with applause. As the curtain closed on the second scene of the first act, Norina did a small tumble onto the divan. As I recall, the earlier production for her in this role, she scaled back this effort, but took the audience by surprise.

As the opera continues in the 2nd act, Norina is on a roll, kicking Don Pasquale in the rear and smashing vases on the floor, destroying Don Pasquale's bed and simply carrying on with much fun as an overblown practical joke, calling Don Pasquale an old codger. The audience broke out in laughter on more than one occasion as the merriment evolved. Unlike most productions at the MET, there were numerous well behaved young children at this performance.

The third act reveals the nature of the joke and Don Pasquale blesses the love between Ernesto, the nephew, and Norina. There is a touching duet between John Del Carlo, Don Pasquale, and Mariusz Kwiecien, Dr. Malatesta, that was repeated at the end of the third act in front of the curtain.

Anna's voice and stature have grown, but she truly ruled the stage with charm, a great sense of humor and uncanny ability to act as an impish young girl. The role of Norina was certainly well suited for her and I was overjoyed to hear improvements in some of her trills, coloratura embellishments and thrilling high notes exemplified at the end of the 3rd act. Anna was clearly enjoying herself immensely, and sang with much confidence and panache. At one point late in the opera she even walked over to the prompter's box and sang from there. The curtain closed to thunderous applause for Anna and her colleagues. It is clear that James Levine is truly a genius, but he is now quite lame and came to the stage using a cane and holding on to other people to steady his balance. He is truly loved by the New York Audience and one could see "Jimmy" throwing a kiss to Anna as the cast took a collective final bow.

Having seen the earlier performance of Don Pasquale at the MET also, I could easily say that this one was filled wiith more humor and antics. Anna hammed it up to rapturous applause, but her real talents lie in an amalgam of acting, sensational looks and a rapturous voice. We loved it so much even havinf traveled from Boston to see it, that we are attending an encore HD performance. All of the nearby theaters were already sold out for the "Live" HD transmission. We will see Anna again at the Richard Tucker Gala at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center on November 14th.

My only regret was having a dinner appointment in Manhattan with dear friends that precluded us from going to the stage door. I hope all of you will get to see this marvelous performance in the HD transmissions.

Photos

Don Pasquale poster at the Met. Photo: Howard

Anna Netrebko (Norina) at the final curtain calls. Don Pasquale, Metropolitan Opera House, New York 6. Nov 2010. Photo: Verónica

Anna Netrebko (Norina) at the final curtain calls. Don Pasquale, Metropolitan Opera House, New York 6. Nov 2010. Photo: Verónica

Mariusz Kwiecien (Dr. Malatesta), Matthew Polenzani (Ernesto), Anna Netrebko (Norina) and John Del Carlo (Don Pasquale) at the final curtain calls. Don Pasquale, Metropolitan Opera House, New York 6. Nov 2010. Photo: Verónica

Anna Netrebko signing autographs at the stage door. Don Pasquale, Metropolitan Opera House, New York 6. Nov 2010. Photo: Verónica

Anna Netrebko signing autographs at the stage door. Don Pasquale, Metropolitan Opera House, New York 6. Nov 2010. Photo: Verónica

Anna Netrebko signing autographs at the stage door. Don Pasquale, Metropolitan Opera House, New York 6. Nov 2010. Photo: Verónica

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Don Pasquale, Metropolitan Opera House, New York 6. Nov 2010. Photo: Verónica

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Don Pasquale, Metropolitan Opera House, New York 6. Nov 2010. Photo: Verónica