The Metropolitan Opera started live HD video broadcasts last year.  This year a Topeka movie theater has joined the growing number of theaters playing these broadcasts.  They have been successful with good attendance at theaters in Kansas City, Lawrence, as well as Topeka.  If you love opera or even think you would hate it, I urge you to try one broadcast at least.   The experience is unique and can be quite thrilling.  The very best singers joined with the most exciting dramatic productions direct from the greatest opera house in the world.  During intermissions you can go get popcorn or hang around and listen to the fascinating educational interviews and discussions of the production being broadcast. 

The next opportunity is on Saturday afternoon, January 10th, 2009 at Noon.  The tickets are $22.00, $20.00 (seniors), and $15.00 (children) and can be purchased at the theater or online from the Met website.   In Topeka, the live broadcast will be at the Hollywood Stadium 14 movie theater, 6200 SW 6^th Avenue.  The opera is “La Rondine” by Puccini, a beautiful, romantic story in which the soprano does not die in the end, quite a departure from most dramatic opera plots!  The stars are the gorgeously exciting soprano, Angela Gheorghiu, and dashingly handsome Roberto Alagna.  The “fat lady singing” stereotype definitely does not apply to this opera production!  I attended Ms. Gheorghiu’s broadcast performance of “La Boheme” last year and was swept away by her fragile and beautiful portrayal of the tragic heroine, Mimi.

“La Rondine” will be rebroadcast at the Hollywood Stadium 14 on Wednesday evening, January 21^st, 2009 at 7:00 PM, in case you cannot attend the live broadcast.  There will be five more live broadcasts in Topeka through spring of next year.  I’ll let you know what is coming up or you can check the Met website.

(Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera)