The Metropolitan Opera opens its 125th season this week, and that means it's time for me to finally write something in this space for the first time in a few months! There's lots of exciting stuff in the pipe for Superconductor. Expect some scathing (and not-so-scathing) reviews, endless kvetching about the renovations to Lincoln Center, and the odd notes about the industry as we try to keep you updated on all the latest and greatest on the New York classical music scene.
Highlights this week include the re-opening of the Met, with a Monday night gala performance featuring Renee Fleming in a trilogy of great scenes: from Verdi's La Traviata, Massenet's Manon, and Strauss' Capriccio. The gala will be simulcast on giant screens in Times Square and at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus (across the street from the under-construction Lincoln Center. Tickets for limited seating are available at the Met box office Monday at 12pm.
The season proper kicks off on Tuesday with Salome, featuring the stunning and sexy Karita Mattila in the title role of the girl who has everything she ever wanted. She last sang this role at the Met in '04 and brought down the house. Expect a review in this space later this week once I get my head reattached.
Right: Renee Fleming, Photo by Andrew Eccles © Decca
Left: Karita Mattila Photo by Lauri Eriksson, © Warner Classics
