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A mythic sorceress stops at nothing in her quest for vengeance in “Medea” on GREAT PERFORMANCES AT THE MET – June 16 at 9 pm


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Great Performances at The Met: Medea

Premieres on Friday, June 16 at 9 p.m. on PBS

 

Great Performances at the Met raises the curtain on Medea with opera star Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role as the mythic sorceress who stops at nothing in her quest for vengeance. This production marks Radvanovsky’s fourth new production with director David McVicar, who also designed the sets for this staging. Based on Euripides’ famous play, Medea takes place in the ancient Greek city of Corinth, a locale once wealthy and sophisticated. Projections and a large mirror above the stage help illustrate how her choices reflect the collapse of her family, as the man she loves rejects her, and her children become her only outlet for revenge.

Actress on stage in opera with image of flames behind her
Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role of Cherubini’s “Medea.”

This Met Opera premiere of Cherubini’s rarely performed masterpiece features tenor Matthew Polenzani as Medea’s Argonaut husband, Giasone; soprano Janai Brugger as her rival for his love, Glauce; bass Michele Pertusi as her father, Creonte, the King of Corinth; and mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova as Medea’s confidante, Neris. Maestro Carlo Rizzi conducts, and opera star Joyce DiDonato hosts the broadcast.

 

 

 

Cast:

Sondra Radvanovsky – Medea

Matthew Polenzani – Giasone

Janai Brugger – Glauce

Michele Pertusi – Creonte

Ekaterina Gubanova – Neris

 

Creative:

male and female Actors/vocalists on stage during sonmg in the opera "Medea"
Janai Brugger as Glauce and Matthew Polenzani as Giasone in Cherubini’s “Medea.”

Joyce DiDonato – Host

Carlo Rizzi – Conductor

David McVicar – Production & Set Designer

Doey Lüthi – Costume Designer

Paule Constable – Lighting Designer

Katy Tucker – Projection Designer

Jo Meredith – Movement Director

 

Great Performances at the Met is produced by the Metropolitan Opera in association with PBS and The WNET Group, bringing the best of the Metropolitan Opera into the homes of opera fans across the country. For the Met: Mia Bongiovanni is Supervising Producer and Louisa Briccetti and Victoria Warivonchik are Producers. Peter Gelb is the Executive Producer. For Great Performances: Bill O’Donnell is Series Producer; David Horn is Executive Producer.