Peter Gelb, the recently installed general manager of New York’s Metropolitan Opera (known, of course, as The Met), has embarked on a series of digital-media ventures, one of which brings HD transmissions of the Met’s performances right to Gainesville. The season opened on 10th October with Puccini’s popular opera Tosca. Interestingly (and unique for American opera audiences), there were many boos when Luc Bundy, director of the new version of the opera, came out during curtain call– among other things, the patrons were displeased with Bundy’s spare and bleak set which was likened to “a Hitchcock movie” by the conductor. Mr.Gelb’s response to the displeasure? “It’s a new Met. Get over it.”

High definition transmissions of the Met’s performances can be seen at Regal Park Cinemas in Butler Plaza. The next showing is on 24th October, but you’ll have to miss that one since you’ll be at the next SP show. After that, you can see
Puccini’s Turandot on 7th November
Offenbach’s  Les Contes D’Hoffman on 19th December
Richard Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier on 9th January
Carmen on 16th  January
Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra starring Placido Domingo on 6th February
Hamlet on 27th March
Rossini’s Armida on 1st May

Gainesville Sun Article
Might as Well Boo… (NYT)
The Night at the Opera (NYT ArtsBeat)
Cut the Fluff. What Makes Tosca Tick? (NYT)