On 10 January 2026, MET LIVE IM KINO will broadcast Vincenzo Bellini's opera I PURITANI – a bel canto masterpiece with which the Met celebrates the new year as part of a glittering gala premiere. When it comes to beautiful melodies, captivating coloratura, and a dazzling vocal fireworks display, few operas are equal to this masterpiece.
The opera is set in England during the civil war between Catholic Royalists and reformed Puritans. At its center is the tragic love story between Elvira and Arturo, which is put to a severe test by the conflict between love and political duty.
I PURITANI is the last opera by Vincenzo Bellini, one of the principal representatives of Italian bel canto, who died at the age of only 34. After premiering in Paris in 1835, it deals with universal themes such as love, loyalty, and betrayal. It depicts a society in spiritual upheaval. Its soldiers are not mercenaries, but believers who stand up for their families, their values, and their freedom. Bellini has transformed this highly explosive drama into emotional music.
For the new production under the direction of Marco Armiliato, the Met has assembled a stellar quartet for the demanding lead roles. Soprano Lisette Oropesa, who ranks among the greatest interpreters of romantic bel canto, and tenor Lawrence Brownlee, whose sensitive legato has established his fame, are Elvira and Arturo, whose love is threatened by the effects of the English Civil War. Baritone Artur Ruciński plays Elvira's original and vengeful fiancé Riccardo, while Christian Van Horn can be experienced with his sensitive bass-baritone as Elvira's uncle Giorgio.
Charles Edwards, who makes his directorial debut after many successes as a set designer, presents a moving production that has all the ingredients of an emotional theatrical evening.
A promo clip for I PURITANI can be found here.
The Met season 2025/2026 will be broadcast live to over 200 screens in Germany and Austria. Advance ticket sales for all performances are now underway. The list of participating cinemas and further information can be found at www.metimkino.de.
The dates of the MET LIVE IN CINEMA season 2025/2026:
- 10 January: Bellini I PURITANI (Lisette Oropesa, Lawrence Brownlee)
- 21 March: Wagner TRISTAN UND ISOLDE (Lise Davidsen, Michael Spyres)
- 2 May: Tchaikovsky EUGENE ONEGIN (Asmik Grigorian, Igor Golovatenko)
- 30 May: Frank EL ÚLTIMO SUEÑO DE FRIDA Y DIEGO (Isabel Leonard, Carlos Álvarez, Nils Wanderer)
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For inquiries and if you are interested in interviews with artists or in a raffle of tickets for one of the live broadcasts, please contact:
Katja Raths, Head of Clasart Classic
Tel: +49 (0) 89 999 513 421, Email: katja.raths@leoninestudios.com
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Katharina Biro, Senior Manager Clasart Classic
Tel: +49 (0) 89 999 513 420, Email: katharina.biro@leoninestudios.com
