High Notes: January at the Met

Earlier this week, the Met rang in the new year with Carrie Cracknell’s electrifying new production of Bizet’s masterpiece, hailed “a Carmen that felt alive” by The Washington Post and “A fresh twist on Bizet's tragic love story,” by Vogue. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [The Metropolitan Opera]( [High Notes - JANUARY]( ["A DARING NEW PRODUCTION ... TAKES FLIGHT" —THE WASHINGTON POST]( Bizet’s Carmen ON STAGE THROUGH JANUARY 27 “Thrilling ... ★★★★”—Financial Times Earlier this week, the Met rang in the new year with Carrie Cracknell’s electrifying new production of Bizet’s masterpiece, hailed “a Carmen that felt alive” by The Washington Post and “A fresh twist on Bizet's tragic love story,” by Vogue. One of today’s most riveting young talents, mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina gives a career-defining performance in the title role, with The Wall Street Journal proclaiming, “Akhmetshina has the vocal goods—a throaty, low sound with a hint of steel.” The standout cast also features tenor Piotr Beczała as Carmen’s volatile lover Don José, soprano Angel Blue as the steadfast Micaëla, and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen as the swaggering Escamillo. Experience this vital new staging, conducted by Daniele Rustioni, through January 27. Can’t make it to the opera house? Carmen will be broadcast live as part of the Met’s Live in HD series in movie theaters worldwide on January 27. [Learn more](. [BUY TICKETS]( [WATCH TRAILER]( Verdi’s Nabucco LIVE IN MOVIE THEATERS JANUARY 6 This Saturday, January 6, the 2023–24 Live in HD season of cinema transmissions continues with Verdi’s fiery biblical epic Nabucco. Baritone George Gagndize stars as the imperious king of ancient Babylon, with soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska reprising her thrilling turn as the vengeful Abigaille. Maestro Daniele Callegari leads Elijah Moshinsky’s monumental staging, which also showcases the incomparable Met Chorus in the ever-popular anthem “Va, pensiero.” [LEARN MORE]( [FIND A CINEMA]( The Met Orchestra at Carnegie Hall THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 8PM The Met Orchestra kicks off its annual series of concerts at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, February 1, conducted by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Before headlining the upcoming production of Verdi’s La Forza del Destino, sensational soprano Lise Davidsen joins the ensemble to sing Wagner’s transcendent Wesendonck Lieder. And after intermission, Maestro Nézet-Séguin retakes the podium to lead Mahler’s towering Symphony No. 5. [BUY TICKETS]( On Stage this Month In addition to Carmen and Nabucco, this month also sees a pair of Puccini favorites take the stage. For just three performances, Franco Zeffirelli’s picturesque vision of bohemian Paris returns as soprano Elena Stikhina and tenor Stephen Costello star as Mimì and Rodolfo in La Bohème. And on January 11, celebrated conductor Xian Zhang makes her Met debut leading Anthony Minghella’s striking production of Madama Butterfly (pictured), featuring soprano Aleksandra Kurzak in the title role and tenor Matthew Polenzani as the callous American sailor who betrays her. [VIEW CALENDAR]( More from the Met SUPPORT EXTRAORDINARY OPERA Provide vital support for the Met and enhance your opera experience with exclusive member benefits. Join or increase your membership support today. New and increased gifts will be matched by a Met Board member. [MAKE A GIFT]( MET OPERA ON DEMAND Unlock an unrivaled collection of past Met performances—including Live in HD transmissions, classic telecasts, and radio broadcasts dating back nearly 90 years—on our subscription streaming service. Start your free seven-day trial today and explore the full catalog of more than 850 complete performances. [LEARN MORE]( MET OPERA SHOP Shop Met exclusives and new arrivals, including gifts and music for the opera lover in your life. [SHOP NOW]( ARIA CODE The Met’s acclaimed podcast collaboration with WQXR is back for Season Four, once again hosted by Grammy Award–winning composer and musician Rhiannon Giddens. Subscribe to Aria Code wherever you get your podcasts. [LISTEN NOW]( METROPOLITAN OPERA RADIO The Robert K. Johnson Foundation–Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network offers live Saturday matinee broadcasts every week during the season. You can also enjoy Metropolitan Opera Radio exclusively on the SiriusXM app. [LEARN MORE]( From Our Partners Soprano Golda Schultz—whose NY Phil debut was hailed as “immaculate” and “superb” by The New York Times—returns for a Mozart concert aria and the evocation of heaven that concludes Mahler’s Fourth Symphony. Jan 31–Feb 3 at David Geffen Hall. [Learn More]( Led by Andris Nelson, the Boston Symphony Orchestra presents Shostakovich’s opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk in concert, featuring Kristine Opolais as Katerina Ismailova, one of opera’s most unforgettable characters. Tuesday, January 30 at 7PM at Carnegie Hall. [Learn More]( FOLLOW US [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [TikTok]( CUSTOMER SUPPORT [Contact Us]( [Manage Email Preferences]( © 2024 METROPOLITAN OPERA The Metropolitan Opera, 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, United States Peter Gelb, Maria Manetti Shrem General Manager Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer Music Director Photos: Ken Howard / Met Opera (Carmen, Madam Butterfly); Marty Sohl / Met Opera (Nabucco); Richard Termine / Met Opera (Met Orchestra);Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera (Opera House); Karen Almond / Met Opera (Die Zauberflöte); Evan Zimmerman / Met Opera (Turandot) This message was sent to {EMAIL} because you've signed up to receive Metropolitan Opera emails, and agreed to our [Terms & Conditions](. Review our [Privacy Policy](. No longer interested? [Unsubscribe](.