Live from the Met

All the throbbing eroticism—and ultimate heartbreak—of Puccini’s youthful score is unleashed by James Levine and his top-flight cast. Plácido Domingo is Des Grieux, the handsome, headstrong young aristocrat who falls head over heels for the enticing, impetuous Manon Lescaut (Renata Scotto). Manon returns his love, but her obsession with luxury ruins them both. Gian Carlo Menotti’s opulent production, with sets and costumes by Desmond Heeley, superbly captures the colorful world of 18th century France. Performance date: March 29, 1980.

Alban Berg's Lulu has finally made it to the Metropolitan Opera! This Lulu is an experience that all adventurous music lovers will want to sample. Met Music Director James Levine, long a champion of this groundbreaking work, was the driving artistic force behind Lulu's highly anticipated Met premiere. The riveting singing actress Julia Migenes stars in the title role in a production by the great John Dexter that the Times called "the year's major operatic event". Composer: Alban Berg Conductor: James Levine Artists: Julia Migenes Evelyn Lear Kenneth Riegel Frank Little Franz Mazura. Performance date: December 20, 1980.

The characters of Greek mythology remain as moving to us today as they were to the first audiences who heard them thousands of years ago. In one sweeping act, composer Richard Strauss has brilliantly transformed the story of the violent revenge of Elektra, mourning the murder of her father by his wife and her lover, into a vivid and emotionally compelling score. This Metropolitan Opera production makes available one of the rare performances of Brigit Nilsson in one of her signature roles. Performance date: February 16, 1980.

The incomparable Luciano Pavarotti at his most eloquent brings Donizetti’s Nemorino to live as only he can, combining vocal fireworks, personal charisma, and charm. The enchanting production by Nathaniel Merrill, with designs by Robert O’Hearn, is the perfect setting for Nemorino’s quest to win the heart of beautiful Adina, sung by the sparkling Judith Blegen. Brent Ellis as Belcore and Sesto Bruscantini as Dr. Dulcamara round out the all-star cast. Nicola Rescigno conducts. Performance date: March 2, 1981.