Met Opera expands HD series
New York's Metropolitan Opera will expand its high-definition broadcast schedule from eight to 11 transmissions next season, the project's third.
The number of theaters carrying the performances will go up from 600 to 800, expanding to more countries and (gasp!) cruise ships worldwide. Let's hope the Met adds at least one more theater in South Florida - specifically in Broward County, which thus far has no venue for the series while there are several in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade.
The 2008-09 lineup will have a total of 11 performances from the opening night gala Sept. 22 (The HD series weekly hostess Renee Fleming, pictured at left, in scenes from various operas) through May 9.
On schedule is the Met preem of John Adams' "Doctor Atomic," Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon in "Lucia Di Lammermoor," a new production by Chicago/Broadway director Mary Zimmerman of "La Sonnambula," and Angela Gheorgiu with Roberto Alagna in "La Rondine," among others.
A complete list and details are available on the Met website. Tickets won't go on sale until August, though.
JACK ZINK, the Sun-Sentinel theater, music & cultural affairs writer, has spent 38 years on the Gold Coast...