Opera Matinee

WETA Classical is Washington's home for opera year round. From December through early June, experience the power and passion of the Metropolitan Opera's Saturday Matinee Broadcasts. The rest of the year features performances from leading opera houses around the world.

Next Episode

Das Rheingold

July 27, 2024 1:00 pm

Richard Wagner

The first installment in Richard Wagner's four-part operatic cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen, and drawn from Scandinavian and German mythology and legend, Das Rheingold establishes the basis of the narrative in which gods, giants and humans clash in a struggle to gain control of gold from the Rhine River that can be crafted into a ring of world power. A recorded performance from London's Royal...

  • Elektra

    Elektra

    August 3, 2024 1:00 pm

    Richard Strauss

    Richard Strauss's highly-charged, emotional and psychological drama, based on the ancient Greek myth of Elektra, who becomes obsessed with avenging the murder of her father. This recorded performance of Royal Opera House, Covent Garden is led by Sir Antonio Pappano.
  • Médée

    Médée

    August 10, 2024 1:00 pm

    Marc-Antoine Charpentier

    Marc-Antoine Charpentier's 1693 opera explores the dark and tragic tale based on Greek mythology of Médée, who uses her sorceress powers in vengeful acts against her unfaithful lover, Jason. A recorded presentation of Opéra de Paris, conducted by William Christie.
  • Damnation of Faust

    Damnation of Faust

    August 17, 2024 1:00 pm

    Hector Berlioz

    Berlioz explores the legend of Faust -- his existential despair, his pact with the devil, and his tragic descent into hell in powerful music that contemplates the human condition, blending elements of love, ambition, and the supernatural into an unforgettable spectacle. A recorded production of French National Opera, led by Cristian Măcelaru.
  • Don Carlo

    Don Carlo

    August 24, 2024 1:00 pm

    Giuseppe Verdi

    Verdi's grand opera, based on true conflicts from the 16th century in the life of Prince Carlos of Spain, is a love triangle, and a tale of power and betrayal set in motion by international politics and intrigue. A recorded performance of Teatro alla Scala, led by renowned conductor Riccardo Chailly.
  • Rusalka

    Rusalka

    August 31, 2024 1:00 pm

    Antonin Dvořák

    Dvořák's take on a captivating fairy tale from Slavic mythology of Rusalka, a water nymph and her tragic love for a human prince and desperate quest for a soul. This recorded production of Opéra Royal de Wallonie features Corinne Winters in the title role.
  • Idomeneo

    Idomeneo

    September 7, 2024 1:00 pm

    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Mozart's opera seria based on the ancient Greek myth of Idomeneo, King of Crete, who is beholden to a tragic vow he made with Neptune for safe travel. This recorded performance from the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, led by Sir Simon Rattle.
  • Tosca

    Tosca

    September 14, 2024 1:00 pm

    Giacomo Puccini

    Puccini's verismo opera of love, jealousy and betrayal -- a dramatic love story set against the backdrop of political unrest in Rome. A recorded performance from Bavarian State Opera conducted by Andrea Battistoni.
  • The Queen of Spades

    The Queen of Spades

    September 21, 2024 1:00 pm

    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    Tchaikovsky's opera, considered his greatest in the genre, navigates the dark and obsessive tale of a man caught in a web of desire, gambling, and the supernatural. A recorded performance from Bavarian State Opera starring Brandon Jovanovich, led by Aziz Shokhakimov.
  • Highway 1, USA and The Dwarf

    Highway 1, USA and The Dwarf

    September 28, 2024 1:00 pm

    William Grant Still and Alexander Zemlinsky

    A double bill from LA Opera pairing William Grant Still’s Highway 1, USA, which explores themes of family and sacrifice, and Alexander Zemlinsky’s The Dwarf, which tells a dark tale of love and vanity. James Conlon conducts.