The Metropolitan Opera’s 2017–2018 Season Opens September 25 With a New Norma | Playbill

Classic Arts News The Metropolitan Opera’s 2017–2018 Season Opens September 25 With a New Norma Bel canto stars Sondra Radvanovsky and Joyce DiDonato headline the production from David McVicar.
Sondra Radvanovsky and Joseph Calleja Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

The new season of the Metropolitan Opera kicks off September 25 with a gala presentation of Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma. Taking center stage is Sondra Ravanovsky, a reigning bel canto soprano of the New York company.

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Joyce DiDonato Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera
As Ravanovsky takes on the title role of the Druid priestess—one she has sung numerous times around the world (including at the Met)—Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato sings Adalgisa, a fellow priestess and rival. Joseph Calleja is Pollione, and Matthew Rose is Oroveso. Carlo Rizzi conducts.

The new production hails from David McVicar; he will also stage the Met’s new Tosca, which is set to ring in the New Year with a December 31 premiere. The Scottish director recently worked with Radvanovsky in his 2016 production of Roberto Devereux. That bel canto opera marked the culmination of the soprano’s quest to become the first singer in Met history to sing all three of Donizetti’s queen roles (Anne Boleyn, Mary Stuart, and Elizabeth I) in one season.

Radvanovsky will play five performances. On October 16 and 20, Marina Rebeka will assume the role of Norma. After that, Angela Meade will take center stage, performing opposite Jamie Barton’s Adalgisa. Joseph Colaneri will take the podium as conductor with the new cast.

McVicar’s staging features sets by Robert Jones, costumes by Moritz Junge, and lighting design by Paule Constable.

 

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