Another Amazing Opera

The problem with attending shows I have never seen before is that, if they turn out to be spectacular, it's often too late to let my friends know about them. Well, you folks who read this blog in time have just had a reprieve.

I've seen some brilliant productions in the Metropolitan Opera's "Live in HD" series. The very best was the production of "Carmen" back in January. Perhaps the second best was "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" that was staged back in December. The production was absolutely eye-popping, with so many creative, outlandish elements. And the performances were also remarkable. In particular I've thought often since of the fascinating performance of Kate Lindsey: brilliant singing, but even more mesmerizing acting in a serio-comic role. The whole thing was amazing: more amazing still is that it will be broadcast as part of the Great Performances at the Met series on public television. That will take place in the Sacramento area on KVIE2 (one of KVIE's secondary stations; it's channel 190 for Roseville Comcast subscribers) between midnight and 3 a.m. on Monday, April 5. By all means, record it if you can. If you have trouble getting into it or seeing why I like it so much, fast-forward to the segment where the little Asian lady with the big gold crown is singing: she, too, was amazing.

Here's a postscript. Possibly the season's third best production (to my taste) was that of "Hamlet" by Ambroise Thomas that was broadcast in theaters yesterday. It will be re-broadcast on Wednesday evening, April 14 at various theaters around the world. Especially if you haven't seen one of these Met productions, this would be a good one to see -- if you don't find it engaging, maybe opera (even at its best) isn't for you.

And then there's the last "The Met: Live in HD" production of the year on Saturday, May 1. In the Sacramento area, you can see it live starting at 10 a.m. in any of the Century Theaters in the area. It's been described as a "fanciful and magical tale," and I have great hopes for this one.