Opera Matinee

Puccini's sensitive and heart wrenching tragedy of a young Japanese geisha who clings to the belief that her marriage to an American naval officer is permanent, and that he will return after abandonment. One of the most moving roles in opera. This live production from the Metropolitan Opera features Aleksandra Kurzak in the title role.

Wagner's innovative opera with seamless music weaves the story of forbidden love between Isolde, an Irish princess, and Tristan, a servant of King Marke of Cornwall, and the power of their love strengthened by death. A live production from the Metropolitan Opera with Lise Davidsen and Michael Spyres.

Based on play by Alexandre Dumas, fils, the story of life-changing love and sacrifice between a free-spirited courtesan Violetta, and the impetuous Alfredo, torn by his love for Violetta and family duty. This live production from the Metropolitan Opera features Lisette Oropessa in the title role.

Based on a play by Victor Hugo, La Gioconda is set in the dark passages and canals of 17th century Venice in a story full of love, sacrifice, mystery and deceit. A recorded performance from the Metropolitan Opera from 1968 in honor of the 150th anniversary of the opera premiere, with Renata Tebaldi in the title role.

Mozart's grand opera, a blend of melodrama, comedy and supernatural elements, is based on the legendary seducer, notorious villain and libertine, Don Juan. A recorded performance from Fall 2025 with Ryan Speedo Green in the title role, led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

The Metropolitan Opera premiere of Innocence by Kaija Saariaho intertwines stories of joy and tragedy: a wedding inflicted with the after-effects and buried secrets from a school shooting a decade earlier. Filled with various vocal styles, from traditional opera to expressionistic speech to Scandinavian folk music.

Bellini's bel canto opera is a curious tale of a young woman whose sleepwalking habits get her into trouble, less aa comedy than a psychological portrait, This 2025 recorded performance from the Metropolitan Opera features Nadine Sierra in the title role.

Tchaikovsky's lyrical and heartfelt opera, based on verse by Alexander Pushkin, is a tale of loneliness and regret as Onegin callously dismisses the love of a sincere woman, realizing his error too late. Igor Golovatenko in the title role.

Donizetti's lighthearted bel canto classic explores the life of a young orphaned girl, Marie, who is raised by a regiment of French army soldiers until she learns her true identity. A recorded performance from the Metropolitan Opera featuring Erin Morley in the title role.

Tune in for the annual Metropolitan Opera Listener's Choice: Great Met Broadcasts special! An opera to be selected by voter choice. Return to this page closer to May 16 for the announcement of the opera chosen.

Based on an epic Persian fairy tale about love, courage, loyalty and self-sacrifice, Puccini's final opera is the story of a cold-hearted princess Turandot who subjects her suitors to a deadly game of riddles, and the tenacious stranger who outwits her. A live performance from the Metropolitan Opera, with Anna Pirozzi in the title role.

A 2007 opera based on the final exchange and deaths of Mexico's 20th century painterly power couple, whose lives were so intertwined – often tempestuously. A Metropolitan Opera premiere broadcast, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.