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

Moby Dick

March 29, 2025 1:00 pm

Jake Heggie

The Metropolitan Opera premiere of Jake Heggie's 2010 adaptation of Herman Melville’s sea-drenched, heaven-storming epic on board the Pequod with the monomaniacal Captain Ahab in pursuit of the white whale. Brandon Jovanovich stars as Ahab.

  • Ainadamar

    Ainadamar

    April 5, 2025 1:00 pm

    Osvaldo Golijov

    A recorded 2024 performance of the Metropolitan Opera premiere of Osvaldo Golijov's work, based on the life of writer Federico Garcia Lorca, who faced political persecution and execution during the Spanish Civil War. With Daniela Mack and Angel Blue.
  • Die Zauberflöte

    Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

    April 12, 2025 1:00 pm

    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Mozart's delightful and allegorical tale beautifully depicts a rescue from darkness to light and enlightenment -- and the fiery Queen of the Night aria! A live Metropolitan Opera performance with Ben Bliss and Golda Schultz, led by Evan Rogister.
  • Le siège de Corinthe

    Le siège de Corinthe

    April 19, 2025 1:00 pm

    Gioachino Rossini

    The Metropolitan Opera celebrates the 50th anniversary of Beverly Sills’s Met debut with a performance from April 19, 1975 of Rossini's dramatic Le siège de Corinthe. Also featuring Shirley Verrett and Justin Diaz, conducted by Thomas Schippers.
  • Le Nozze di Figaro

    Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)

    April 26, 2025 1:00 pm

    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    The Metropolitan Opera presents Mozart’s masterpiece, Le Nozze di Figaro, a brilliant Beaumarchais comedy in which cleverness, tricks and mistaken identity combine to outsmart a Count in his amorous pursuit. With Michael Sumuel in the title role.
  • Il trovatore

    Il trovatore

    May 3, 2025 1:00 pm

    Giuseppe Verdi

    From Verdi's masterful middle-to-late period, Il trovatore (The Troubadour) is a highly-charged, emotional drama of family strife, mistaken identity and revenge as the bold troubadour, Manrico, is unwittingly at war with his own long-lost brother. A Metropolitan Opera recorded performance with tenor Michael Fabiano.
  • Salome

    Salome

    May 17, 2025 1:00 pm

    Richard Strauss

    A biblical story, as envisioned by Oscar Wilde’s play, of an abused and unhinged antiheroine who demands the head of Jochanaan in Richard Strauss's powerful and emotional setting. Elza van den Heever sings the title role of this live Metropolitan Opera broadcast, led by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
  • Antony and Cleopatra

    Antony and Cleopatra

    May 24, 2025 1:00 pm

    John Adams

    The Metropolitan Opera premiere of John Adams's opera, an adaptation of Shakespeare's play of power, political strife and burning romance. Gerald Finley and Julia Bullock star in the title roles, led by the composer, John Adams.
  • Il Barbiere di Siviglia

    Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville)

    May 31, 2025 1:00 pm

    Gioachino Rossini

    Rossini's effervescent comedy, full of charm and melodies, tells the lengths a Count will go to win his love, with the help of his servant, Figaro. A live Metropolitan Opera broadcast starring Andrey Zhilikhovsky and Jack Swanson.