The electrifying essence of performing arts and audiences’ fascination with it is as old as civilization. The citizens of Rome were captivated by choreographed stories from the Greek works of Euripides in the grand amphitheaters. The Renaissance ushered in a groundbreaking moment with the birth of opera, and Broadway ignited the streets of New York with its musicals.   

The beauty of performing arts is the audience’s subconscious interaction with the performers, the elaborate staging, the harmonious melodies, and the awe-inspiring spectacle that unfolds before their eyes. There is no pause or reset button, only raw emotion displayed on stage or at 24 frames per second on the big screen.   

In honor of our ongoing mission to share these experiences with audiences nationwide, we are delving into the immersive worlds of IMAX Cities that Sing: Paris & Venice and the highly anticipated The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 Season.    

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IMAX and Stage Access Presents Cities that Sing: Paris & Venice 

Renée Fleming, the renowned and revered soprano of our generation, has embarked on a magnificent collaboration with Fathom, Stage Access, and IMAX to bring to life breathtaking films that immerse viewers in the captivating allure of two legendary opera cities: the romantic Paris and the enchanting Venice. Through an extraordinary blend of visuals and enchanting melodies, these cinematic masterpieces take us on two spellbinding journeys, unraveling these iconic cities’ cultural tapestry and artistic grandeur.  

It’s easier to picture the contemporary performing arts landscape with Paris and Venice. Both cities have been an epicenter for film movements (Italian Neorealism and the French New Wave), inspiring operas, playwrights, and filmmakers. The true beauty of Cities that Sing: Paris and Cities that Sing: Venice is the unprecedented access to these enchanting streets and the timeless masterpieces of Verdi, Rossini, and Puccini while bringing us onto the stages of the Théâtre du Châtelet and the legendary Teatro La Fenice.  

 

Prepare to be transported to a world of passion and artistry as Renée Fleming’s voice and the magic of opera, Paris, and Venice come alive on the silver screen. 

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The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 Season 

The Metropolitan Opera serves as a vibrant sanctuary for the most ingenious and talented vocalists, conductors, composers, musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers, and dancers from around the globe. With its rich history and reputation for excellence, the Met has become a beacon of artistic brilliance, attracting the finest talents in the opera world.   

Each year, the Met curates an unforgettable lineup of performances that captivate audiences within the walls of its iconic opera house and on screens across the world. From timeless classics to daring contemporary works, they showcase a vast range of operatic masterpieces, offering a truly immersive experience for opera lovers. This year the series has outdone itself with a lineup with deep roots in cinema and Broadway. 

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Dead Man Walking  

Marking the first of three Metropolitan Opera premieres presented this season, Dead Man Walking is based on the gripping memoir by Sister Helen Prejean. The story delves into her relentless battle for the redemption of a condemned murderer, a story that gained recognition through the critically-acclaimed film starring Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon.   

The opera is composed by American artist Jake Heggie and features a captivating libretto crafted by Tony and Emmy Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally. Since its premiere in 2000, Heggie’s masterpiece has emerged as the most-performed contemporary opera of the past two decades.   

In the upcoming season, The Met: Live in HD presents a haunting new rendition of Dead Man Walking by the acclaimed Ivo van Hove, fresh off his directorial debut Don Giovanni last season. Inspired by its original premiere in 2000, this captivating production perfectly captures the intense emotions of its storyline, intertwining them with the evocative melodies of the original score.    

Dead Man Walking will be in cinemas nationwide October 21 & 25 as part of The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 Season.   

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X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X 

Malcolm X, a towering presence in the history of the 20th century, continues to captivate audiences with his powerful legacy. His profound contributions to the civil rights movement and unwavering commitment to justice have left an indelible mark on society. Among the many artistic tributes to his life, Anthony Davis’s groundbreaking opera, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, emerged as a transformative masterpiece that resonated with audiences worldwide.   

Regarded as a “forgotten opera,” it had been absent from the stage for an astonishing 36 years after its initial debut at the New York City Opera in 1986. However, the long wait ended when Detroit Opera brought it back to life in their highly anticipated 2022 production.   

X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, directed by Robert O’Hara, winner of a Tony Award® for Broadway’s Slave Play, will be in cinemas nationwide November 18 & 29 as part of The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 Season. 

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Florencia en el Amazonas 

Under the masterful baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Daniel Catán’s masterpiece takes center stage, marking only the third Spanish-language opera to grace the prestigious Met. Drawing inspiration from the enchanting world of Gabriel García Márquez’s magical realism, this opera unfolds the tale of a Brazilian opera diva who embarks on a journey back to her homeland, the legendary opera house of Manaus. 

 

Immersed in the lush jungles, she not only aims to enthrall audiences with her voice but also seeks to unravel the mystery of her lost lover, who has mysteriously disappeared into the depths of the wilderness. Having already mesmerized audiences at renowned regional opera companies like Houston Grand Opera, LA Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as in Manaus, this long-awaited production finally makes its grand debut at the Met. 

Florencia en el Amazonas will be in cinemas nationwide on December 9 & 13 as part of The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 Season.   

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Nabucco  

Verdi’s tale of the ancient city of Jerusalem’s downfall at the hands of the mighty Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II is brought to life in this timeless production by the Metropolitan Opera. This grand and awe-inspiring spectacle guarantees to captivate both seasoned opera enthusiasts and those new to the genre, as it retells a significant chapter of biblical history. 

Under the baton of Maestro Daniele Callegari, Verdi’s early masterpiece comes alive, providing the perfect platform for the extraordinary talents of the renowned Met Chorus. Prepare to be moved by their unforgettable rendition of the poignant “Va, pensiero.” 

Nabucco will be in cinemas nationwide January 6 and 10 as part of The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 Season.

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Carmen  

Carmen portrays a woman yearning for love, leaving obsession and jealousy in her wake. It stands as one of the most beloved operas of all time. Its captivating melodies lure in seasoned opera enthusiasts and newcomers, just like the irresistible allure of its titular character, who has emerged as an iconic symbol of female empowerment in culture. 

This fresh and contemporary rendition, helmed by acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell, showcases the rising mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina in the role of Carmen, leading a stellar quartet of talent that includes tenor Piotr Beczała as Don José, soprano Angel Blue as Micaëla, and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen as the charismatic Escamillo. 

The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 Season is bringing this must-see new production to cinemas nationwide January 27 and an encore on January 31.

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La Forza Del Destino  

Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Mariusz Treliński’s production, which brings to life a riveting tale of doomed love, vengeful vendettas, and familial discord in a modern setting. Use of the Met’s turntable symbolizes the relentless march of destiny that propels the opera’s tragic events. 

This groundbreaking staging marks the company’s first new interpretation of the opera in nearly three decades and offers Live in HD audiences their first opportunity to experience Verdi’s enthralling masterpiece. 

Following her recent successes with Der Rosenkavalier (2023) and Ariadne auf Naxos (2022), soprano sensation Lise Davidsen takes center stage as Leonora, who is forced to abandon her true love and flees her home. The cast also includes tenor Brian Jagde as the forbidden lover, Don Alvaro; baritone Igor Golovatenko as the vengeful brother, Don Carlo; mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi as the enigmatic fortune teller, Preziosilla; bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi as Fra Melitone; and bass Soloman Howard in the dual roles of Leonora’s father and Padre Guardiano. 

La Forza Del Destino will be in cinemas nationwide March 9 and 13 as part of The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 Season.

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Roméo et Juliette 

Drawing inspiration from William Shakespeare’s timeless play, Gounod’s operatic adaptation delves into the universally recognized tale of two ill-fated lovers caught in the crosshairs of feuding families. Embodied by the extraordinary talents of soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor Benjamin Bernheim, the lead roles are brought to life under the expert baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who conducts one of the most romantically charged scores in the repertoire. 

 

Joining them on stage are baritone Will Liverman and tenor Frederick Ballentine as Mercutio and Tybalt, mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey as the pageboy Stéphano, and the bass-baritone Alfred Walker as Frère Laurent. With Tony Award-winning® director Bartlett Sher’s artistic vision, the staging captivates audiences with its breathtaking scenic and costume design, transporting them to the enchanting ambiance of late 18th-century Italy. 

Experience the timeless tale reimagined March 23 & 27 as part of The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 Season.

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La Rondine  

Puccini’s enchanting tale of love and longing follows the journey of an elegant woman from the upper echelons of society who yearns for something more. Enter an idealistic young man who offers her an escape from a life of extravagance. The stage is set for a mesmerizing performance as soprano Angel Blue takes on the role of Magda, the alluring French courtesan. At the same time, tenor Jonathan Tetelman makes his highly anticipated debut as Ruggero. 

 

Making a triumphant return to the Met after more than a decade, this rarely performed opera takes center stage once again in Nicolas Joël’s Art Deco-inspired production. Prepare to be transported from the vibrant heart of Parisian nightlife to a captivating and dreamy vision of the French Riviera in the 1920s. 

La Rondine will be in cinemas nationwide April 20 and 24 as part of The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 Season.

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Madama Butterfly  

The Live in HD season draws a breathtaking close with the mesmerizing opera, Madama Butterfly. Puccini’s poignant tale of unrequited love between a young Japanese girl and an American naval officer has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, making it one of the most beloved and tragic operas. 

Prepare to be enraptured as soprano sensation Asmik Grigorian makes her highly anticipated Met debut as the enchanting Cio-Cio-San. Under the baton of acclaimed maestro Xian Zhang, tenor Jonathan Tetelman takes on the role of American sailor Pinkerton, while mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong portrays the unwavering maid Suzuki. Baritone Lucas Meachem completes this stellar cast as the American consul Sharpless. 

Immerse yourself in the timeless score, which features many melodies that will resonate with opera fans and newcomers alike. From the soaring soprano aria “Un bel dì” to the evocative Humming Chorus, these unforgettable compositions will transport you to a world of raw emotions and heart-wrenching beauty. 

Prepare to be captivated by the Met’s beloved production, crafted by Academy Award-winning film director Anthony Minghella. This stunning rendition ingeniously utilizes traditional Bunraku puppetry and Japanese theatrical techniques to narrate the story artfully. Set in the enchanting port city of Nagasaki, against the backdrop of the early 20th century, this visually stunning production will leave an indelible mark on your soul. 

Madama Butterfly will be in cinemas nationwide May 11 & 15 as part of The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 Season.

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