The Enchanted Island: Monday, July 14. Original transmission: January 21, 2012. Approximate run time: 3 hours, 15 minutes.
A contemporary take on the 18th-century genre of the pastiche, this delightful Baroque
fantasy brings together some of the greatest arias and ensembles by Handel, Vivaldi, Rameau, Purcell, and other composers, with a new English libretto by Jeremy Sams, inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The all-star cast is headed by David Daniels as Prospero, Joyce DiDonato as Sycorax, Danielle de Niese as Ariel, Luca Pisaroni as Caliban, and the legendary Plácido Domingo as Neptune. William Christie conducts this dazzling world-premiere production.
Rigoletto: Wednesday, July 23. Original transmission: February 16, 2013. Approximate run time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Michael Mayer’s acclaimed production, the talk of the opera world when it premiered in 2013, sets the action of Verdi’s masterpiece in 1960 Las Vegas — a neon-lit world ruled by 
money and ruthless, powerful men. In this bold new vision (featured on “60 Minutes”), Piotr Beczala is the Duke, a popular entertainer and casino owner. Željko Lučić sings Rigoletto, a comedian and the Duke’s sidekick, and Diana Damrau is Rigoletto’s innocent daughter, Gilda. When she is seduced by the Duke, Rigoletto sets out on a tragic course of murderous revenge.
La Rondine: Sunday, July 13. Original transmission: January 10, 2009 Approximate run time: 2 hours.
Puccini’s achingly beautiful score charmingly conveys the plight of Magda (the “swallow” of
the title), who unexpectedly finds true love with the handsome young Ruggero. But their idyllic life comes to a premature end as she is haunted by the fear that her checkered past will ruin his future. Opera stars Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna portray Puccini’s star-crossed lovers. Nicholas Joël’s production features elegant and sophisticated art-deco sets that contribute to the dazzling stage picture.
Roméo and Juliette: Wednesday, August 6. Original transmission: December 15, 2007. Approximate run time: 3 hours.
The world’s most famous love story comes to operatic life with superstars Anna Netrebko
and Roberto Alagna as the star-crossed young couple. Their performances brought audiences to their feet in both the opera house and in movie theaters. Gounod’s ultra-sensual interpretation of Shakespeare also features Nathan Gunn as Mercutio and Plácido Domingo on the podium.
La Fanciulla del West: Wednesday, August 13. Original transmission: January 8, 2011. Approximate run time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Puccini’s musical vision of the American West is vividly brought to life in the Met’s atmospheric production. Deborah Voigt is Minnie, the “girl of the golden west” and owner of
a bar in a Californian mining camp. Marcello Giordani sings Dick Johnson, the bandit-turned-lover hunted by the cynical sheriff Jack Rance (Lucio Gallo), who wants Minnie for himself. Complete with whiskey-drinking cowboys, gunplay, a poker game, and a snowstorm, La Fanciulla del West is Puccini at his most colorful.
General admission seating is available at the door on the day of the broadcast, or in advance by calling the Center for the Arts box office 843-521-4145.
Ticket prices are: Adult/Seniors $12, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Members $10, USCB students and youth under 18, $5. Visit www.uscbcenterforthearts.com for additional programming information.
Global corporate sponsorship of The Met: Live in HD is provided by the Neubauer Family Foundation. The HD broadcasts are supported by Toll Brothers.
For additional information, contact USCB Center for the Arts at 843-521-4145 or bhargrov@uscb.edu.
