Week of December 14: Lyric Commentaries for opera streaming and more

This week in opera streaming, we have operas of every size and genre. We’ll stop by The Metropolitan Opera for its performances of “epic proportions” week, then we’ll visit the Royal Opera House, which has just launched a series of opera and ballet streams to keep our hearts warm and our voices singing all through the holiday season.

Lyric’s latest virtual offering, Pasión Latina, a free concert celebrating music from the Spanish-speaking world with soprano Ana María Martínez joined by current and former members of the Ryan Opera Center, premieres on Sunday, December 13 and is then available for on-demand streaming to enjoy at your convenience!

Have a student at home? In 2021, Lyric will continue its Streaming for Students program with El Pasado Nunca Se Termina and Jason and the Argonauts. We invite you to spread the word to any teachers and parents who may be interested in this free opportunity. As with our other virtual programs, these performances will be accompanied by free online resources to help you make the most out of your streaming experience.

Lyric Opera Commentaries discuss the synopses, music, and some historical insights into the creation of the world's most beloved operas, and musical masterpieces you might never have experienced.

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

The Metropolitan Opera
Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila

This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Elīna Garanča, Roberto Alagna, Laurent Naouri, Elchin Azizov, and Dmitry Belosselskiy, and was directed by Darko Tresnjak. Samson et Dalila was conducted by Sir Mark Elder on October 18, 2018. This opera stream will be available until 6:30pm on Tuesday, December 15. 

The Royal Opera House
Handel: Ariodante (in concert)

This virtual concert from The Royal Opera House features singers Paula Murrihy, Chen Reiss, Gerald Finley, Sophie Bevan, Iestyn Davies, Ed Lyon, and Thando Mjandana with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House conducted by Baroque music specialist Christian Curnyn. This stream will be available through December 20, 2020.

Lyric Commentary from the 2019/20 Season is by Derek Matson.

The Metropolitan Opera
Berlioz: Les Troyens

This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Deborah Voigt, Susan Graham, Karen Cargill, Bryan Hymel, Eric Cutler, Dwayne Croft, and Kwangchoul Youn, and was directed by Barbara Willis Sweete. Les Troyens was conducted by Fabio Luisi on January 5, 2013. This opera stream will be available until 6:30pm on Thursday, December 17.

Lyric Commentary from the 2016/17 Season is by Anthony Freud and Nicholas Ivor Martin.

Houston Grand Opera
Beethoven: Fidelio

This radio broadcast from Houston Grand Opera stars Karita Mattila, Simon O’Neill, Tómas Tómasson, and Kristinn Sigmundsson, and was directed by Jürgen Flimm. Fidelio was conducted by Michael Hofstetter in 2011. This radio broadcast will be available through January 18, 2021. 

The Metropolitan Opera
Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov

This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Ekaterina Semenchuk, Aleksandrs Antonenko, Oleg Balashov, Evgeny Nikitin, René Pape, Mikhail Petrenko, and Vladimir Ognovenko, and was directed by Stephen Wadsworth. Boris Godunov was conducted by Valery Gergiev on October 23, 2010. This opera stream will be available until 6:30pm on Saturday, December 19.

Lyric Commentary from the 2011/12 Season is by Sir Andrew Davis.

The Royal Opera House
Verdi: Falstaff

This radio broadcast from The Royal Opera House stars Bryn Terfel, Ana María Martínez, Simon Keenlyside, and Anna Prohaska. Falstaff was conducted by Nicola Luisotti in 2018. This radio broadcast airs on Saturday, December 19 at 12:30pm CST.

Lyric Commentary from the 2007/08 Season is by Gianna Rolandi and Nicholas Ivor Martin.

The Metropolitan Opera
Wagner: Götterdämmerung

This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Deborah Voigt, Wendy Bryn Harmer, Waltraud Meier, Jay Hunter Morris, Iain Paterson, Eric Owens, and Hans-Peter König, and was directed by Robert Lepage. Götterdämmerung was conducted by Fabio Luisi on February 11, 2012. This opera stream will be available until 6:30pm on Monday, December 21.

Lyric Commentary from the 2019/20 Season is by Colin Ure.