More opening night Pictures!

The Met has just released new pictures from opening night! Check pictures of Anna Netrebko, Renee Fleming, Matthew Polenzani, Deborah Voigt, Carmen Giannattasio, Janai Brugger, Michael Mayer, Mariusz Kwiecien, Isabel Leonard, Alec Schrader and Placido Domingo.

Turandot Preview 2012-2013 Season

Maria Guleghina and Irene Theorin share the title role of the Icy Princess in Puccini's unfinished masterpiece.

The Production

Franco Zeffirelli's critically abhorred production returns to the Met. Ever since the Met premiered the Zeffirelli production critics have complained for his excess and for the grand scale. They have stated that the big sets take away from the action and do not let the singers shine through. Nevertheless the production has been one of the audiences favorites as the sets are rich with detail bringing the audience to the world where the action takes place. The costumes are also striking and with great actors such as this years cast, the characters are easily brought to life without any distractions. Peter Gelb has stated in various interviews that there are no plans of changing the set and I applaud him for it. Zeffirelli's Turandot is a spectacle that is is easily one of the Met's finest productions to date.

Takesha Meshe Kizart bows out of Turandot

Yesterday the Met announced another round of cancellations and replacements. The big winners were two operalia winners who have yet to gain international stardom. Here is what the Met Press ofice released:

Janai Brugger makes her Met debut as Liù in Turandot on October 30 and sings the role on November 2, 5, and 9. Brugger replaces Takesha Meshé Kizart, who is recovering from recent abdominal surgery.

Guanqun Yu replaces Sondra Radvanovsky as Leonora in Il Trovatore on October 17, 20, and 25. This role marks her Met debut as well.