Opera Catalog

Composer: Jules Massenet
Librettist: Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille

Luisi; Netrebko, Beczala, Szot, Pittsinger

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet

Approximate running time: 2 hrs. 53 min.

Star soprano Anna Netrebko scored a triumph in Laurent Pelly’s acclaimed 2012 production, singing the title heroine for the first time at the Met. Manon’s story—from innocent country girl to celebrated courtesan to destitute prisoner—is one of the great tragic tales in literature and music, and this performance brings out all of its colors, as seen...

Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Librettist: Marco Praga, Domenico Oliva, Luigi Illica, Giuseppe Giacosa, Giulio Ricordi

Levine; Mattila, Giordani, Croft

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Approximate running time: 2 hrs. 26 min.

One of today’s most compelling singing actresses, Karita Mattila takes on the irresistible role of Manon Lescaut, the headstrong young woman torn between a life of luxury and the call of her true love: the Chevalier des Grieux, played by Marcello Giordani. The young Puccini lavished some of his most sensual music on this early hit, conducted here ...

Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Librettist: Marco Praga, Domenico Oliva, Luigi Illica, Giuseppe Giacosa, Giulio Ricordi

Levine; Scotto, Domingo, Elvira

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Approximate running time: 2 hrs. 10 min.

All the throbbing eroticism—and ultimate heartbreak—of Puccini’s youthful score is unleashed by James Levine and his top-flight cast. Plácido Domingo is Des Grieux, the handsome, headstrong young aristocrat who falls head over heels for the enticing, impetuous Manon Lescaut (Renata Scotto). Manon returns his love, but her obsession with luxury ruin...

Composer: Richard Wagner
Librettist: Richard Wagner

Levine; Mattila, Heppner, Polenzani, Morris, Allen, Pape

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Approximate running time: 4 hrs. 51 min.

Wagner’s enchanting Nürnberg has perhaps never looked as marvelous as in this production by Otto Schenk, with sets designed by Günther Schneider-Siemssen. James Levine’s conducting is as authoritative as it is affectionate, and the orchestra, the chorus, and the all-star cast which could not be equaled anywhere else in the world—respond with a rive...

Composer: John Adams
Librettist: Alice Goodman

Adams; Kim, Kelly, Brubaker, Braun, Maddalena

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet

Approximate running time: 2 hrs. 56 min.

John Adams’s groundbreaking work vividly brings to life President Nixon’s 1972 visit to communist China. Peter Sellars’s Met production, based on his 1987 world-premiere staging, features choreography by Mark Morris and stars James Maddalena as Nixon, Robert Brubaker as Chairman Mao, Janis Kelly as First Lady Pat Nixon, Russell Braun as Chinese Pre...

Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Librettist: Lorenzo da Ponte

Levine; Fleming, Bartoli, Mentzer, Croft, Terfel

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Approximate running time: 3 hrs. 3 min.

The Met assembled a vocal dream team for Jonathan Miller’s stylish production of the eternal Mozart masterpiece: Renée Fleming as the Countess, Cecilia Bartoli as Susanna, and Bryn Terfel as Figaro. With James Levine—one of the world’s great conductors of Mozart—in the pit, Bartoli interpolating two rarely heard alternate arias, and Dwayne Croft as...

Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Librettist: Lorenzo da Ponte

Levine; Vaness, Battle, von Stade, Allen, Raimondi

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Approximate running time: 3 hrs. 12 min.

From the "James Levine: Celebrating 40 Years at the Met" DVD box set. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s landmark production of Mozart’s most human comedy provides the perfect setting for this superb cast under James Levine’s ebullient leadership. The philandering and arrogant Count Almaviva (Thomas Allen) is no match for his wily servant Figaro (Ruggero Raim...

Composer: Giuseppe Verdi, Jules Massenet, Richard Strauss
Librettist: Francesco Maria Piave, Henri Meilhac, Philippe Gille and Clemens Krauss

Levine, Armiliato, Summers; Fleming, Vargas, Hampson

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet

Approximate running time: 2 hrs. 22 min.

There are few occasions to match the excitement and glamour and of an Opening Night at the Met. This spectacular gala showcased the extraordinary soprano Renée Fleming in three different, equally dazzling roles, each costumed by a different designer. The famous productions by Franco Zeffirelli (Verdi’s La Traviata, Act II, conducted by James Levine...

Composer: Christoph Willibald Gluck
Librettist: Ranieri de' Calzabigi

Levine; de Niese, Murphy, Blythe

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet

Approximate running time: 1 hrs. 39 min.

Director and choreographer Mark Morris’s production of Gluck’s masterpiece updates the immortal story from its ancient Greek roots to the timeless present, where, he says, “the union of chorus and dancers feels inevitable and inseparable.” With costumes by Isaac Mizrahi and a set designed by Allen Moyer, this production surrounds the action with th...

Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Librettist: Arrigo Boito, based on the play by William Shakespeare

Bychkov; Fleming, Botha, Struckmann

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Approximate running time: 2 hrs. 46 min.

In Verdi’s retelling of Shakespeare’s towering tragedy, Renée Fleming gives a captivating performance as the innocent Desdemona, a role long considered one of her calling cards. Johan Botha as the title hero delivers an imposing portrayal of a proud warrior brought down by jealousy, and Falk Struckmann is thrilling as the villainous Iago. James Mor...

Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Librettist: Arrigo Boito

Levine; Fleming, Domingo, Morris

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Approximate running time: 2 hrs. 22 min.

Verdi’s monumental score is fully the equal of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy—and both demand great actors. This is one performance where both playwright and composer are well served. Plácido Domingo’s Otello is one of the glories of the operatic world, beautifully sung and so commandingly acted that audiences are devastated by the end. Renée Fleming...

Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Librettist: Arrigo Boito

Levine; Cruz-Romo, Domingo, Milnes

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Approximate running time: 2 hrs. 29 min.

In an Opening Night performance for the history books, the great Plácido Domingo sings the title role of Verdi’s Otello for the first time at the Met. This supremely demanding part was to become his signature role, an accomplishment against which other interpreters are still measured to this day. Domingo stars opposite Sherrill Milnes’s conniving I...