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.

Current Episode

Champion

May 27, 2023 1:00 pm

Terence Blanchard

Terence Blanchard's second Met premiere, Champion is the dramatic and triumphant story of young boxer Emile Griffith, who rises from obscurity to world champion. Bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green portrays the young Emile, and veteran Eric Owens portrays Griffith’s older self, reflecting on his past. This performance from earlier this year was a Met premiere, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

  • The Magic Flute

    Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

    June 3, 2023 1:00 pm

    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Mozart's enchanting fairy tale composed for opera connoisseurs and new-comers, Die Zauberflöte is a quest for wisdom, involving noble mysticism, solemnity, and a bit of humor, and structured as a singspiel (“song-play”) with Mozart's lovely music and dialogue. Nathalie Stutzmann conducts a production that stars Lawrence Brownlee, Erin Morley and Kathryn Lewek.
  • Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman)

    Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman)

    June 10, 2023 1:00 pm

    Richard Wagner

    Wagner's haunting tale of redemption through love, expressed through the natural and supernatural worlds, as an accursed Dutchman is condemned to sail the seas forever, unless redeemed by the love of a faithful woman. Tomasz Konieczny sings the title role in a production conducted by Thomas Guggeis.

  • Der Freischütz

    Der Freischütz

    June 17, 2023 1:00 pm

    Carl Maria von Weber

    Der Freischütz (The Marksman), a landmark of German Romantic opera, combines supernatural elements with folklore and spoken dialogue in a struggle between good and evil when an unsuccessful marksman makes a nefarious pact with the devil for skill and love. A recorded presentation of Wolf Trap Opera's 2022 season at The Barns.
  • Susannah

    Susannah

    June 24, 2023 1:00 pm

    Carlisle Floyd

    Susannah, by American composer Carlisle Floyd, a two-act work composed during 1950s, is based on the parable Susannah and the Elders, a powerful and tragic story of an innocent young woman whose life is ruined by jealousy and the taint of a false accusation. A recorded presentation from Wolf Trap Opera's 2022 season at The Barns.
  • Fidelio

    Fidelio

    July 1, 2023 1:00 pm

    Ludwig van Beethoven

    Beethoven's only opera, Fidelio, is a dramatic story of fidelity, courage and triumph over struggle. Acclaimed tenor Brandon Jovanovich stars as the political prisoner Florestan, in a production of the Vienna State Opera.
  • Salome

    Salome

    July 8, 2023 1:00 pm

    Richard Strauss

    Based on Biblical story of Herod, Salome and John the Baptist, Salome shocked audiences at its premiere in 1905 -- a traumatic and erotic tale of a princess who requests murder as a reward, along the Dance of the Seven Veils. A production of Vienna State Opera, with Malin Byström in the title role.
  • Nixon in China

    Nixon in China

    July 15, 2023 1:00 pm

    John Adams

    Inspired by President Richard Nixon's 1972 historic visit to the People's Republic of China, Nixon in China premiered in 1987 and has become an audience favorite, combining seriousness and levity. Renowned baritone Thomas Hampson in the title role, with Renee Fleming as Pat Nixon. A production of Opéra de Paris.
  • Il Proscritto

    Il Proscritto

    July 22, 2023 1:00 pm

    Saverio Mercadante

    Unheard since its premiere in 1842, Il Proscritto (The Outlaw) is a drama of divided loyalties set in Edinburgh at the time of Oliver Cromwell. Mercadante's orchestration includes harmonic and dramatic innovations, influenced by French opera. Renowned tenor Ramón Vargas in the title role. A production of Opera Rara, conducted by Carlo Rizzi.
  • I Lombardi alla prima crociata

    I Lombardi alla prima crociata

    July 29, 2023 1:00 pm

    Giuseppe Verdi

    Adapted from an epic poem about love and revenge set against the First Crusade, Verdi's first grand opera explores themes of conflict, mercy, and redemption. This production of Munich Radio Opera stars Nino Machaidze and Michele Pertusi.