By Sara Evans | Featured in the Fall 2014 Issue – Art Of The Times

Opera lovers around the globe held their collective breath this past summer. Negotiations between labor and management seemed to be going south. However, intelligent concessions led to successful contracts. Now, the Metropolitan Opera 2014-15 season is officially on.

Consequently, a spectacular season awaits. It is filled with treasures both old and new.

Exciting New Productions

First on the list is Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, conducted by Maestro James Levine. Set in a manor house in Seville during the 1930s, this version is fresh. Ildar Abdrazakov sings Figaro, while the lovely Marlis Petersen sings Susanna.

Next, the controversial Death of Klinghoffer by John Adams will debut. David Robertson conducts the piece. Michaela Martens stars as Marilyn Klinghoffer alongside Alan Opie as Leon.

Additionally, the New York winter will light up with Lehar’s The Merry Widow. This English-language production features the luminous Renée Fleming. Notably, Broadway’s Susan Stroman choreographed the production.

Furthermore, a new double bill pairs Iolanta and Bluebeard’s Castle. Featuring Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala, it combines a magical fairy tale with an erotic thriller.

Finally, the season rounds out with Rossini’s La Donna del Lago and a new Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci. Joyce DiDonato and Juan Diego Flórez star in the former. Meanwhile, Sir David McVicar updates the latter, featuring Eva-Maria Westbroek.

Classics from the Repertory

Of course, the Met would not be the Met without classic productions. These include everyone’s favorite Zeffirelli production of La Bohème. Also returning is Verdi’s Macbeth, with Anna Netrebko singing Lady Macbeth.

Richard Eyre’s production of Carmen has become a stock favorite. This season, it features the spectacular Jonas Kaufmann. Julie Taymor’s The Magic Flute also returns with its gorgeous puppets.

Lovers of Wagner are holding their breath for Die Meistersinger. Everyone’s favorite, James Levine, will conduct. For the holidays, Sir Andrew Davis conducts the English-language Hansel and Gretel.

A Season Saved

Other favorites in the Metropolitan Opera 2014-15 season include Aida, The Barber of Seville, and La Traviata. We definitely dodged a bullet this year.

Thankfully, the Met is up and running. Through the miracles of modern technology, “Live from the Met HD” productions are playing globally. How lucky can we get?