Centennial, Colo. – Beginning June 15, the Met and NCM Fathom will once again present Summer HD Encores, a series of encore performances from the groundbreaking Live in HD series, in more than 400 select movie theaters nationwide through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network. This summer’s encore series offers six classic Live in HD events: Puccini’s Madama Butterfly (June 15), Donizetti’s Don Pasquale (June 22), Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra (June 29), Donizetti’s La Fille du Rgiment (July 13), Puccini’s Tosca (July 20), and Verdi’s Don Carlo (July 27).
Tickets for The Met: Live in HD 2011 Summer Encores-shown in theaters on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in all time zones-are available at www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices.
Since 2006, NCM Fathom and the Metropolitan Opera have partnered to bring classic live operatic performances to movie screens across America with The Met: Live in HD series. The first Live in HD event was seen in 56 theaters in December 2006. Fathom has since expanded its participating theater footprint, which now reaches more than 600 movie theaters in the United States.
“The Summer Encores series have become a very popular entertainment choice and gives millions of opera fans the opportunity to experience the world-class productions of the Metropolitan Opera, all from the comfort of their local hometown theater,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom.
The Met: Live in HD 2011 Summer Encores Schedule:
Madama Butterfly – Wednesday, June 15
Academy Award-winning film director Anthony Minghella’s critically acclaimed production of Puccini’s classic opera stars the gifted singing actress Patricia Racette in the title role. Marcello Giordani is her lover, the callous Pinkerton, and Dwayne Croft sings the role of Sharpless. Patrick Summers conducts.
Don Pasquale – Wednesday, June 22
Superstar soprano Anna Netrebko is Norina, the irresistible and clever romantic heroine of Donizetti’s comic opera, who conspires with Dr. Malatesta (Mariusz Kwiecien) to teach a middle-aged miser (John Del Carlo) an unforgettable lesson about love and marriage. Matthew Polenzani sings the role of Ernesto, Norina’s love, and James Levine conducts one of his first-ever performances of this opera.
Simon Boccanegra – Wednesday, June 29
Four decades into his legendary Met career, Plcido Domingo made history by singing the baritone title role of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra, conducted by James Levine. Adrianne Pieczonka sings the role of Boccanegra’s long-lost daughter Amelia, with Marcello Giordani as her lover Gabriele Adorno and James Morris as Fiesco, Boccanegra’s nemesis.
La Fille du Regiment – Wednesday, July 13
Natalie Dessay is the title tomboy in Donizetti’s comedy, with Juan Diego Flrez as Tonio, the soldier who is willing to go to great lengths-and sing 9 high C’s-to win her love. The sparkling supporting cast includes Felicity Palmer as the Marquise of Berkenfield, Alessandro Corbelli as Sulpice, and the great stage actress Marian Seldes, in her Met debut, as the Duchess of Krakenthorp. Marco Armiliato conducts.
Tosca – Wednesday, July 20
Karita Mattila lives for art and love as the passionate title character of Puccini’s opera. Luc Bondy’s production co-stars Marcelo lvarez as the painter and revolutionary Cavaradossi and George Gagnidze as the corrupt villain Scarpia. Joseph Colaneri conducts.
Don Carlo – Wednesday, July 27
Tony Award-winning director Nicholas Hytner made his Met debut with this new production of Verdi’s monumental grand opera. Roberto Alagna is the conflicted title character, joined by an exceptional cast that includes Marina Poplavskaya as Elisabeth de Valois, Anna Smirnova as Princess Eboli, Simon Keenlyside as Rodrigo, and Ferruccio Furlanetto as King Philip II. Yannick Nzet-Sguin conducts.
The Met: Live in HD, the award-winning series of opera transmissions into movie theaters around the world, is shown in 46 countries and in more than 1,500 theaters. The Met: Live in HD is made possible by a generous grant from the Neubauer Family Foundation. Bloomberg L.P. is the series’ global corporate sponsor.
About National CineMedia (NCM)
NCM operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom present cinema advertising and events across the nation’s largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM’s theater advertising network covers 170 Designated Market Areas (49 of the top 50) and includes approximately 17,200 screens (16,100 digital). During 2010, over 680 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters currently included in NCM’s network (including Consolidated Theatres, Rave Cinemas, Coming Attractions and Digiplex Destinations). The NCM Fathom Events broadcast network is comprised of over 600 locations in 163 Designated Market Areas (all of the top 50). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing 43 entertainment-related websites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 48.6% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.nationalcinemedia.com or www.ncm.com or www.FathomEvents.com.