Season 12 of Great Performances at the Met continues Sunday, August 12 at 12 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) with Verdi’s classic Luisa Miller, starring Sonya Yoncheva in the title role and Piotr Beczała as Rodolfo, with Plácido Domingo as Luisa’s father, Miller.
Elijah Moshinsky’s production is set in 19th century England. Luisa believes she is in love with Carlo, but little does she know, Carlo is actually Rodolfo, the son of Count Walter. Her father Miller is dubious of Carlo’s true intentions, and his fears are confirmed by Wurm, Walter’s steward who is also in love with Luisa, and reveals Carlo’s true identity. Walter hopes to have his son marry the duchess Federica, but Rodolfo is in love with Luisa. Miller informs his daughter of Rodolfo’s deception, but the young man pleads his sincerity, much to Walter’s dismay. Luisa and her father are sentenced to prison following a confrontation with Walter, but Rodolfo is able to secure Luisa’s freedom by threatening to reveal his father’s tainted rise to power. When Miller is jailed, Wurm assures Luisa that her father can be freed if she writes a letter declaring her love for Wurm. After receiving Luisa’s letter from Wurm, a hurt Rodolfo vows to marry Federica as revenge. Rodolfo later confronts Luisa about the letter and asks her to pour him a drink, which he secretly spiked with poison. After the two drink from the poisonous cup, Luisa tells Rodolfo the truth about the letter, leading Rodolfo to kill Wurm in the moments before their demise. Bertrand de Billy conducts. Anthony Roth Costanzo hosts.
Notable Talent:
- Sonya Yoncheva – Luisa
- Piotr Beczała – Rodolfo
- Plácido Domingo – Miller
- Alexander Vinogradov – Walter
- Dmitry Belosselskiy – Wurm
- Olesya Petrova – Federica
- Anthony Roth Costanzo – Host
Runtime: 3 hours
Production Credits:
- Bertrand de Billy – Conductor
- Elijah Moshinsky – Production
- Santo Loquasto – Set and Costume Designer
- Duane Schuler – Lighting Designer
For the Met, Matthew Diamond directs the telecast. Jay David Saks 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 National Endowment for the Arts. This Great Performances presentation is funded by the Irene Diamond Fund, the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Arts Fund, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, The Agnes Varis Trust, and public television viewers.
Series Overview:
Great Performances at the Met is a presentation of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET, bringing the best of the Metropolitan Opera into the homes of classical music fans across the United States.
