Great Performances at the Met Season 8

Season 8 opens with Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin," starring Anna Netrebko as Tatiana, a young Russian who's rebuffed by the object of her affection, Eugene Onegin (Mariusz Kwiecien). Originally broadcast live in movie theaters as part of The Met: Live in HD series.

William Kentridge's production of Shostakovich's "The Nose," about a hapless bureaucrat (Paulo Szot) and his runaway nose (Alexander Lewis). Originally broadcast live in movie theaters as part of The Met: Live in HD series.

Puccini's "Tosca" stars soprano Patricia Racette as the title character, whose lover (Roberto Alagna) is arrested and threatened with death unless she gives herself to the police chief (George Gagnidze). Originally broadcast live in movie theaters as part of The Met: Live in HD series.

A production of Verdi's "Falstaff," updated to take place in 1950s-era London. The boorish Sir John Falstaff (Ambrogio Maestri) schemes to seduce the wives of two wealthy men in order to pay off his debts, but the women—after comparing the similar love letters he sent them—turn his plan upside down. Originally broadcast live in movie theaters as part of The Met: Live in HD series.

Renée Fleming stars in Dvorák's "Rusalka," about a water sprite who loves a human prince (Piotr Beczala). The cast also includes Dolora Zajickas as the witch Ježibaba; Emily Mageeas as Rusalka's rival; and John Relyea as Rusalka's father. Originally broadcast live in movie theaters as part of The Met: Live in HD series.

Alexander Borodin's "Prince Igor," about a 12th-century Russian ruler (Ildar Abdrazakov) who defends his country against invading forces. The opera, which was unfinished at the time of Borodin's 1887 death, includes orchestrated passages by composer-conductor Pavel Smelkov. Soprano Oksana Dykain appears as Igor's wife, Yaroslavna; mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili plays the Polovtsian princess Konchakovna; and tenor Sergey Semishkur plays Igor's son, Vladimir Igorevich. Originally broadcast live in movie theaters as part of The Met: Live in HD series.

Puccini's "La Bohème," about a doomed love affair between poet Rodolfo (Vittorio Grigolo) and seamstress Mimi (Kristine Opolais) in 1830s Paris. Originally broadcast live in movie theaters as part of The Met: Live in HD series.

Richard Eyre, whose hit production of Bizet’s Carmen premiered at the Met in 2009, directs the new staging, which is conducted by Alain Altinoglu. French mezzo-soprano Sophie Koch, in her Met debut is Charlotte, the object of Werther’s unrequited love, in a cast that also includes Lisette Oropesa as Sophie, Serbian bass-baritone David Bižić in his Met debut as Albert, and Jonathan Summers as Le Bailli. Originally broadcast live in movie theaters as part of The Met: Live in HD series.

Lesley Koenig‘s sleek production features a cast filled with rising Met stars, including Susanna Phillips and Isabel Leonard as the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella; Matthew Polenzani and Rodion Pogossov as their fiancés, Ferrando and Guglielmo; and Danielle de Niese as their feisty maid Despina. Maurizio Muraro is the cynical Don Alfonso. Originally broadcast live in movie theaters as part of The Met: Live in HD series.

Joyce DiDonato sings the title role in Rossini’s Cinderella story, La Cenerentola, with bel canto master Juan Diego Flórez as her dashing prince. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads a cast that also includes Pietro Spagnoli in his Met debut as the servant Dandini, Alessandro Corbelli as Cenerentola’s stepfather Don Magnifico, and Luca Pisaroni as Don Ramiro’s tutor, Alidoro. Originally broadcast live in movie theaters as part of The Met: Live in HD series.