Live from the Met

Verdi painted an immense canvas with this dark but tuneful opera, vividly brought to life in John Dexter’s production, with sets by the great Eugene Berman. The legendary Leontyne Price is seen in one of her greatest roles, Leonora. Price’s soaring voice encompasses every nuance of Leonora’s emotion as she moves from joy through resignation to ultimate heartbreak. James Levine’s brilliant leading of the Met orchestra and chorus is a lesson in Verdi style. Giuseppe Giacomini is Alvaro, the man Leonora loves, and Leo Nucci is Don Carlo, the dark instrument of their Fate. Performance date: March 24, 1984.

This was one of the most emotional evenings in Met history—the night Leontyne Price bid farewell to opera. Aida is the role that inspired audiences around the world to acclaim her as the greatest Verdi soprano of her time. And this telecast shows why: the famous soaring phrases that seemed to never end, the shimmering top to her lustrous voice, undimmed by the years. But most of all, there is the ennobling heart and soul Price lavished on every performance—captured here forever. With James Levine conducting the Met orchestra, chorus, and ballet. Performance date: January 3, 1985.

This sumptuous production by Piero Faggioni (sets by Ezio Frigerio and costumes by Franca Squarciapino) seduced Met audiences into the enchanting world of Zandonai’s rarely heard opera. His retelling of Dante’s story of the immortal passion of Paolo and Francesca in 13th century Italy is as musically elegant and beautiful as the details of the production on stage. James Levine’s fervent conducting galvanizes the fabulous cast: Renata Scotto and Plácido Domingo as the lovers with Cornell MacNeil as an appropriately brutal Giovanni. Performance date: April 7, 1984.

Franco Zeffirelli’s productions are legendary—and for good reason. This new production of Puccini’s intensely dramatic opera had opened only two weeks before this performance and the excitement is palpable. Zeffirelli captures the overwhelming grandeur of Rome, as well as the dark undercurrent of decadence and corruption in the drama. Under his direction, the cast of great singing actors crackles with intensity. Hildegard Behrens as Tosca, the passionate singer in love with Cavaradossi (Plácido Domingo), who agrees to a night with Scarpia, the evil chief of police (Cornell MacNeil), in exchange for Cavaradossi’s freedom. Giuseppe Sinopoli conducts. Performance date: March 27, 1985.

Sherrill Milnes brought vivid theatrical force to his portrait of Simon Boccanegra, the 14th century Doge of Genoa who battles private demons and political enemies. Only the greatest Verdi baritones manage to put their individual stamp on this monumental role, and Milnes succeeds brilliantly, mixing poetry and power to reveal Boccanegra’s heart to the audience. Anna Tomowa-Sintow is the long-lost daughter he finds, but, he discovers, she loves Gabriele Adorno (Vasile Moldoveanu), a man determined to destroy him. James Levine’s superb conducting and Tito Capobianco’s dramatic production add to the gripping performance. Performance date: December 29, 1984.