“Met Mastersingers: Renée Fleming” is on Feb 3 at NY’s Town Hall
On Wednesday, February 3, the Metropolitan Opera Guild presents the debut of an exciting new series: “The Met Mastersingers”. Starting at the very top for this inaugural event, the Guild has invited the glorious Renée Fleming to join its executive producer Paul Gruber in an informal conversation about her life and career. The event will take place at New York’s Town Hall and will feature screenings of the radiant soprano’s favorite filmed performances, from the Metropolitan Opera as well as previously unscreened material from other opera houses and television shows; a new video biography; and filmed anecdotes by some of Fleming’s colleagues and friends, including Susan Graham, Barbara Cook, and Peter Gelb. Ticket and other information for “The Met Mastersingers: Renée Fleming” follows below.
Among the filmed performances and appearances to be screened are: the Marschallin’s monologue from the recent Met HD transmission of Der Rosenkavalier; a scene with baritone Thomas Hampson from a highly-acclaimed performance of La Traviata given by Fleming at Covent Garden this past summer; appearances on two late-night television programs that some opera lovers and Fleming fans no doubt missed; an excerpt from a television special, shot last year in Russia, that has not yet been broadcast in the U.S.; and Fleming’s unforgettable performance at President Obama’s inauguration concert.
Gruber has interviewed some of the greatest classical musicians of our time in a series of Guild events over the past few seasons including, most recently, conductor James Levine, music director of the Metropolitan Opera. A contributor to ConcertoNet.com called that event at Alice Tully Hall, “a joy from start to finish.” Gruber’s last conversation at Town Hall was with another great soprano, the legendary Teresa Stratas, who made her first public appearance in 15 years in the Guild’s “Met Legends” series. When asked about having the opportunity to produce this event and chat onstage with Fleming, arguably the world’s most popular opera star, Gruber commented: “It’s been a joy to refresh my memories of all these extraordinary video performances, and to delve into Renée’s life and work for the video biography we’ll premiere that night. I’ve been a fan of her work for years, but the experience of working with her on this event has only deepened my respect for her artistry. She’s a very nice and very interesting lady, and the interview promises to be great fun.”
All Guild events benefit the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s extensive and far-reaching education programming.
Wednesday, February 3 at 8pm
THE MET MASTERSINGERS: Renée Fleming
The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, New York City
Tickets are $50 for Guild members and Met patrons, and $75 for all others. Following the program, join the Guild for an artists’ reception with champagne and dessert: $150 for premium seating and reception. For tickets, call (212) 769-7009, or order online at www.metguild.org.
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© 21C Media Group, January 2010