The Met Opera HD Returns with Puccini's Madama Butterfly 3/7

The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD simulcast is back this Saturday 3/7 at 1:00 PM at The State featuring Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. In case you don't know about The State's Met Opera Live in HD shows it goes something like this: Through an effort to spread the love of Opera throughout the United States and the world, The Met Opera in New York City has begun simulcasting their performances to Theaters that are HD (high definition) ready. This all started in December of '06 when their first simulcast went worldwide and has been met with acclaim from every realm including critical as well as popular. On top of just performing the Operas themselves, the audience at The State is exposed to behind-the-scenes features, live interviews with cast and crew, insightful short documentaries, and bird’s-eye views of the productions offer an unprecedented look at what goes into the staging of an opera. Another great thing about these simulcast is that you can see these performances for just a fraction of the cost that you would pay at the Met ($22 for adults, $20 for seniors, $18 for students, and $15 for children). Even though you might not actually be in New York for the show, we are offering the highest digital quality picture so it does feel like you are actually there without the long car ride.
This weekends Opera is Madama Butterfly by Puccini’s. The story goes something like this:

Pinkerton, an American naval officer, has taken lease of a house in Nagasaki, Japan. He is going to live here with his future Japanese wife, Butterfly. Butterfly, (Cio-Cio-San) a giesha, is only 15-years-old. Goro, the marriage broker, while showing Pinkerton his new house, introduces him to Suzuki, his wife's maid. Sharpless, the American consul, warns Pinkerton of getting married. Pinkerton tells him that the is happy with his Japanese bride, but adds that one day he will marry a real "American bride." Butterfly enters and the family gathers for the wedding. Cio-Cio-San shows Pinkerton a dagger that was once used by her father to commit hara-kiri. The wedding ceremony is disrupted by angry family members, including Butterfly's uncle, a Buddhist priest. As the family leaves after the wedding, the couple celebrates their love and their first night alone together [source].

Below you can find a selection from Madama Butterfly:


The Met Opera Live in HD featuring Puccini’s Madama Butterfly is playing this Saturday 3/7 at 1:00 PM at The State with tickets going for $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, $18 for students, and $15 for children. Purchase tickets ONLINE or at The State Theatre Box Office. Hope to see you there!

This Saturday Night 2/14 (Valentines Day) Pick up Trials and Telephones: A Series of One-Act Operas

A special Valentine’s Day 2/14 treat awaits you at the State Theatre! For one night only, come see the wonderfully talented performers of Penn State Opera Theatre present Trials and Telephones, an evening one-act operas, each one a delightful and enticing treat! You won’t want to miss this opportunity to see live opera right here in State College!

The Telephone (1947) tells the story of Ben and his constantly thwarted attempts to propose to his lady-love, Lucy. Penn State Opera Theatre’s delightful twist on this amusingly frantic story imagines that it is not only the pesky telephone that is getting in his way! Trial By Jury (1875) is one of the earliest collaborations between the masters of topsy-turveydom, Gilbert and Sullivan. Angelina, the plaintiff, is suing Edwin, the defendant, for a breach of promise of marriage. Hilarity ensues as the (anything but) Learned Judge allows the proceedings to unravel before our eyes!

Be sure to purchase tickets early for this one night only special event at the State Theatre, and come see the stars of tomorrow on stage today! Tickets are going for $12 & $5 for students. Tickets are available for purchase both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. See you there!

The Met Opera HD Live Returns With Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor

The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD simulcast is back this Saturday 2/7 at 1:00 PM at The State featuring Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. In case you don't know about The State's Met Opera Live in HD shows it goes something like this: Through an effort to spread the love of Opera throughout the United States and the world, The Met Opera in New York City has begun simulcasting their performances to Theaters that are HD (high definition) ready. This all started in December of '06 when their first simulcast went worldwide and has been met with acclaim from every realm including critical as well as popular. On top of just performing the Operas themselves, the audience at The State is exposed to behind-the-scenes features, live interviews with cast and crew, insightful short documentaries, and bird’s-eye views of the productions offer an unprecedented look at what goes into the staging of an opera. Another great thing about these simulcast is that you can see these performances for just a fraction of the cost that you would pay at the Met ($22 for adults, $20 for seniors, $18 for students, and $15 for children). Even though you might not actually be in New York for the show, we are offering the highest digital quality picture so it does feel like you are actually there without the long car ride.
This weekends Opera is ucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti. The story goes something like this:

Enrico decides that his sister, Lucia, should marry Arturo Bucklaw for money and status. She, however, is in-love with Edgardo Ravenswood, who is her brother’s bitter rival and their family’s mortal enemy. Edgardo wants to ask Lucia’s brother for her hand in marriage, but Lucia is scared of what her brother’s reaction will be. Edgardo then hears that he must leave for France for political reasons. She insists that they keep their love a secret; the two exchange rings and say goodbye [source]

Below you can find Sumi Jo singing an aria from Lucia di Lammermoor:

The Met Opera Live in HD featuring Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice is playing this Saturday 2/7 at 1:00 PM at The State with tickets going for $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, $18 for students, and $15 for children. Purchase tickets ONLINE or at The State Theatre Box Office. Hope to see you there!

The Met Opera Live in HD is back 1/24 with Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice

The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD simulcast is back this Saturday 1/24 at 1:00 PM at The State featuring Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice. In case you don't know about The State's Met Opera Live in HD shows it goes something like this: Through an effort to spread the love of Opera throughout the United States and the world, The Met Opera in New York City has begun simulcasting their performances to Theaters that are HD (high definition) ready. This all started in December of '06 when their first simulcast went worldwide and has been met with acclaim from every realm including critical as well as popular. On top of just performing the Operas themselves, the audience at The State is exposed to behind-the-scenes features, live interviews with cast and crew, insightful short documentaries, and bird’s-eye views of the productions offer an unprecedented look at what goes into the staging of an opera. Another great thing about these simulcast is that you can see these performances for just a fraction of the cost that you would pay at the Met ($22 for adults, $20 for seniors, $18 for students, and $15 for children). Even though you might not actually be in New York for the show, we are offering the highest digital quality picture so it does feel like you are actually there without the long car ride.

This weekends Opera is entitled Orfeo ed Euridice by Gluck and the story goes like this:

Orpheus is mourning the death of his beloved Euridice. He begs the gods either to restore Euridice to life or to allow him to die as well. At this point Amor appears and announces to the bereaved husband that the gods have been moved by his sorrow and taken pity on him. He shall have their permission to descend into Hades and lead Euridice back from the dead. The gods, however, have made one condition: Orpheus must not look back at Euridice, nor offer an explanation for his behavior either; otherwise she will be lost to him forever[source]

Above you can see a picture from this actual performance of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice. Also below you can see Janet Baker perform 'Che Faro' from Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice back in 1982 and start to get a taste of what this Opera will be like:
The Met Opera Live in HD featuring Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice is playing this Saturday at 1:00 PM at The State with tickets going for $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, $18 for students, and $15 for children. Purchase tickets ONLINE or at The State Theatre Box Office. Hope to see you there!