Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Puccini’s ‘La Fanciulla Del West’ set Nov. 17, 19
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society will present the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD broadcast of Giacomo Puccini’s “La Fanciulla Del West” at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17, and 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 19. Screenings are held at the Cinema Art Theater and shown as a recorded presentation after being filmed live.
Soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek sings Puccini’s gun-slinging heroine in this romantic epic of the Wild West, with the heralded return of tenor Jonas Kaufmann in the role of the outlaw she loves. Baritone Željko Lučić is the vigilante sheriff Jack Rance, and Marco Armiliato conducts.
Puccini’s “American” opera, based on David Belasco’s play “The Girl of the Golden West,” had its glamorous and highly publicized world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera with the composer in the audience. The drama is set during the California Gold Rush, and the girl of the title is one of Puccini’s most appealing heroines - a strong, independent woman determined to win the man she loves. Although it fell out of favor with audiences for a few decades following its original success, “Fanciulla” has rebounded in popularity in recent years, and is now counted among Puccini’s best works.
In addition to the opera performance, the HD series features Met opera stars conducting live interviews with cast and/or various production crew members while showing behind-the-scenes workings. This production is the third in The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD series for the 2018-19 season.
Admission for The Met: Live in HD broadcasts is $25 for adults; $22 for RBFS members, Met members, and seniors 65+; $15 for students with ID, and children 12 and under. Customers are encouraged to purchase tickets online. If seats are available, tickets can be purchased at the theater 30 minutes before the screening.
The mission of the RBFS is promoting cinematic arts and providing education and cultural enrichment for our community. The society sponsors ongoing screenings, special events, and the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival. The society is funded, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com. For more information on this series, other events, or to become a member, go to www.rehobothfilm.com, or call 302-645-9095.
