Two Montana theaters offer Met broadcasts
Published: September 30, 2008
The Met’s groundbreaking series of live, high-definition performance transmissions to movie theaters around the world expands in its third season. To meet increasing global demand, The Met: Live in HD will present 11 transmissions in 2008–09, up from eight. The HD productions will be seen in almost 800 venues and a number of new countries in South America and Europe are joining the network this season.
The two Montana theaters airing Met telecasts are Gallatin Mall Cinema 11, at 2825 W. Main Street in Bozeman, and Cinemark Great Northern 8, at 750 Great Northern Blvd. in Helena.
Tickets, which cost $22, may be ordered through fathomevents.com (click on Metropolitan Opera and then click the curtain time), or purchased at the theater (if events are not sold out). It's advisable to arrive early.
The broadcasts began with an Opening Night Gala, starring Renée Fleming, Sept. 22. The season continues with:
• “Salome,” 1 p.m. ET Oct. 11: Karita Mattila reprises her stunning interpretation of the part, including her unforgettable “Dance of the Seven Veils” in this Strauss opera.
• The Met premiere of “Doctor Atomic,” 1 p.m. ET, Nov. 8: John Adams’s contemporary masterpiece explores a momentous episode of modern history: the creation of the atomic bomb. Director Penny Woolcock makes her Met debut with this gripping story that changed the course of history. Baritone Gerald Finley plays J. Robert Oppenheimer, the title character.
• “La Damnation de Faust,” 1 p.m. ET Nov. 22: Robert Lepage, one of theater’s most imaginative directors, applies his artistry to Berlioz’s contemplation of good and evil. Marcello Giordani stars in the title role opposite Susan Graham as Marguerite and John Relyea as Méphistophélès. James Levine conducts this rarely staged masterwork.
• “Thaïs,” noon ET Dec. 20: Renée Fleming stars as the Egyptian courtesan in search of spiritual sustenance and Thomas Hampson is the monk who falls from grace in Massenet’s sensual opera.
• “La Rondine,” 1 p.m. ET Jan. 10: Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna provide the star power to deliver this ravishing romance from the world’s most popular opera composer. Nicolas Joël directs the new production of Puccini’s melodic look at love.
• “Orfeo ed Euridice,” 1 p.m. ET Jan. 24: This complete vision for Gluck, with choreography by Mark Morris and costumes by Isaac Mizrahi, features the artistry of Stephanie Blythe in the male title role. The alluring Danielle de Niese is Orfeo’s adored wife, Euridice, who inspires the hero to face the underworld for her sake.
• “Lucia di Lammermoor,” 1 p.m. ET Feb. 7: Anna Netrebko sings the title role of Donizetti’s fragile heroine for the first time at the Met, with tenor Rolando Villazón in the part of her lover, Edgardo. Baritone Mariusz Kwiecien is her tyrannical brother in this production, staged as a Victorian ghost story.
• “Madama Butterfly,” 1 p.m. ET March 7: Cristina Gallardo-Domâs returns to the title role of Anthony Minghella’s stunning production of Puccini’s masterpiece, opposite Marcello Giordani.
• “La Sonnambula,” 1 p.m. ET March 21: Bellini’s hauntingly lyrical score soars as performed by Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Flórez.
• “La Cenerentola,” 12:30 p.m. ET May 9: Elna Garana portrays another Rossini charmer in this bel canto Cinderella story and Lawrence Brownlee is her Prince Charming.
