Premieres Sunday, May 12 at 12:00 p.m. on PBS (check local listings)
Season 13 of Great Performances at the Met continues Sunday, May 12 at 12 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) with Cilea’s classic Adriana Lecouvreur starring Anna Netrebko in the title role of the real-life French actress, alongside Piotr Beczała as her lover Maurizio and Anita Rachvelishvili as her rival, the Princess of Bouillon. Carlo Bosi, Ambrogio Maestri, and Maurizio Muraro round out the cast. Gianandrea Noseda conducts.
Sir David McVicar’s production takes place in 1730s Paris, where actress Adriana Lecouvreur is preparing for the stage. While alone, her director Michonnet professes his love to her, but Adriana informs him that she is in love with Maurizio, believing him to be an officer to the Count of Saxony. However, Maurizio is hiding two secrets; he is in fact the Count of Saxony himself, and he is also having an affair with the Princess of Bouillon, who has helped him pursue his political ambitions. Following a chance meeting at a party and subsequent escape plot, Adriana and the princess realize they are both in love with Maurizio but do not immediately recognize one another. Now rivals, Adriana and the princess are determined to discover one another’s identity while doing whatever it takes to win Maurizio’s heart. Matthew Polenzani hosts.
Notable Talent:
- Anna Netrebko – Adriana Lecouvreur
- Piotr Beczała – Maurizio
- Anita Rachvelishvili – The Princess of Bouillon
- Carlo Bosi – The Abbé
- Ambrogio Maestri – Michonnet
- Maurizio Muraro – The Prince of Bouillon
- Matthew Polenzani – host
Noteworthy Fact:
Adriana Lecouvreur marks the second opera in season 13 of Great Performances at the Met where Anna Netrebko and Anita Rachvelishvili star as rivals. The powerhouse vocalists starred in Verdi’s classic Aida, which premiered this January on PBS.
Run time: 3 hours
Production Credits:
- Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
- Sir David McVicar – Production
- Charles Edwards – Set Designer
- Brigitte Reiffenstuel – Costume Designer
- Adam Silvermen – Lighting Designer
- Andrew George – Choreographer
- Justin Way – Associate Director
For the Met, Gary Halvorson directs the telecast. Tim Martyn is Music Producer. Mia Bongiovanni and Elena Park are Supervising Producers, and Louisa Briccetti and Victoria Warivonchik are Producers. Peter Gelb is Executive Producer. For Great Performances, Bill O’Donnell is Series Producer and David Horn is Executive Producer.
Underwriters:
Corporate support for Great Performances at the Met is provided by Toll Brothers, America’s luxury home builder®. Major funding for the Met Opera presentation is provided by The Sybil B. Harrington Endowment Fund and the National Endowment for the Arts. This Great Performances presentation is funded by the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Arts Fund, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation and public television viewers.
