MetropolitanOpera
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The Met's upcoming opera to boast glasses-free 3D effects that nobody requested
We don't mean to sound negative or anything, and we're not 3D naysayers by any means. But the news that the Metropolitan Opera's upcoming production of Siegfried will include mind-blowing 3D background effects is, well, mind-blowing. While you're undoubtedly familiar with 3D effects, you may not be acquainted with Wagner's 1876 opera which portrays the story of Sigurd, a hero of Norse mythology. Robert Lepage, the director of the operation, expects theater-goers to find themselves engulfed in a three-dimensional world of his creation, which will be projected on the 45-ton set. Lepage, who is directing Wagner's entire Ring cycle at the Met, worked with Geodezik -- famous for the stage shows of famed opera performers Pink and Justin Timberlake -- to create the show's effects. The 3D you'll be seeing if you hit the theater won't be like the technology you're familiar with, however, as it makes use of fractals, and the moving parts of the set to 'trick' your eyes into seeing in three dimensions. We don't want to say this sounds like a bad idea until we've seen if of course, but we've got our reservations. Hit up the New York Times link to see one rather small image of the set. [Image: Lincoln Center]
The Metropolitan Opera's HD broadcasts still growing in season four
Successful since it started a few years ago, The Metropolitan Opera is coming back with the fourth season of its The Met: Live in HD series. Starting October 10, this year's series expands to "nearly 500" theaters across the U.S. experiencing live and prerecorded high definition feeds several days a week. We'll probably just check out Aida via the streaming player at home , but for the full experience, hit the read link to find out where it's showing near you.
Met Player offering free HD opera streaming for the weekend
Know an opera fan that hasn't been willing to drop the cash on a subscription or per episode fee for the Met Player streaming experience? All this weekend until midnight Sunday they're offering free and unlimited access to 200 full length operas, including 20 from the first three seasons of the Live in HD series. English subtitles are available for all of them, plus recently added French, German and Spanish subtitles. From "available only in select markets" to free streaming in HD to your computer in just a couple of years, wonder what they'll think of next?
Metropolitan Opera makes its HD productions free to select K-12 schools
You just know that if times are tough for consumer electronics, they're really bleak for public schools. With that in mind, we're calling out the bright spot that is The Metropolitan Opera's "HD Live in Schools" program that since January 10th has been making its movie theater productions (in HD, naturally) of Met performances free to students, parents and teachers across 18 schools in 13 states. Better still, The Met plans on expanding the program to 180 schools across the US. Now we know that it's not every K-12 schooler that will appreciate opera, but the opportunity to take in some premium HD content for free is pretty sweet if you ask us; any students that get turned on to HD, opera or music in general are bonus. If nothing else, this has got to beat writing a report on what makes the A-B-B-A song form so darn catchy, right?
Metropolitan Opera online high definition player previewed ahead of October 22 launch
The New York Times got an early peek at the Metropolitan Opera's new HD video on-demand streaming website, set to launch October 22, and came away with a few complaints. While the sound was described as clear and rich, accompanying sharp video, browser glitches and the need to download an add-on for the Move Networks based player made for a clumsy experience. If a $15 subscription month long subscription is too much, individual operas are available for $3.99 to $4.99 with 13 high definition performances available initially. Being this close to the launch makes us think back 125 years ago when you had to actually go to the Met to see an Opera or the old days of 2007, when you had to put on pants and leave the house to get a high definition show. The future, is now.
Shut-ins rejoice, Metropolitan Opera delivers over the internet
Let's say you're interested in checking out a HD performance of the Metropolitan Opera, but the idea of getting your entertainment on someone else's schedule doesn't agree with your PVR-placeshifted-virtual community sensibilities. No problem -- beginning on October 22, the Met is bringing 170 performances -- 120 audio-only, 50 with video -- including recent HD simulcast shows (promised to be in web-quality HD) to your browser. This will be a subscription service, to the tune of $15 per month, or $150 for the whole year. Having to install a dedicated Move Networks player to keep everything on the up-and-up is a niggle, but if there aren't participating theaters or PBS affiliates in your area, it's worth checking out. [Via press]
Metropolitan Opera in HD comes back for third season
We suspect that there aren't many occasions at the Metropolitan Opera that call for the term "hat trick," but the Met is kicking off its third season of simulcasting performances in HD this Monday. It's been a great ride for the Met: seasons one and two saw the audience swell from 325,000 to 935,000, with distribution increasing from seven to 17 countries. And season three has no plans on slowing down -- with almost the full Met season in the lineup, projections are set for 1.2 million viewers in 30 countries across 850 movie theaters. With the uneasy economic times here in the US, this is a great way to check out first rate performances with picture and sound quality to match without breaking the bank, so keep your eyes open.
Italian, Spanish operas beamed live across Europe in HD
Apparently the Met isn't the only one focused on spoiling opera viewers remotely, broadcast company Arqiva is delivering live HD feeds of opera from Italy and Spain via its satellite network. Working with DDCinema, it delivered its last broadcast of Samson and Delilah from the Teatro Comunale in Bologna, Italy to nearly 70 theaters across Europe. If any of Engadget HD's European opera fans missed out, don't worry, they plan at least three more tests this year. As long as they don't try to skimp on the HD and Dolby 5.1 Surround audio, we expect the results will be just fine.
Opera fans demand HD
In the same way that HD has spoiled sports and nature fans with its eye-popping visuals, it has expanded its domain to the opera world. According to the NY Times, the Met's eight broadcasts last season pulled in 908,000 viewers. Further, the number of people who took in these broadcast performances outnumbered the Metropolitan Opera House attendees by 58,000 over the same time period. These are great numbers for the highbrow fare, but what's really telling is the comparative turnout netted by the lower quality broadcast used by the San Francisco Opera. The author of the linked article reports the San Francisco Opera's efforts have enjoyed much less success, and points to a turnout of four at the local screening of "Madama Butterfly" as evidence. Broadcast opera seems like it's here to stay, and HD looks to be a component crucial to success. Bravo!
Metropolitan Opera coming to PBS
If you think it's tough sticking to an exclusive diet of HD content, try being a fan of opera (the genre, not the browser, silly). Not many towns can even consider supporting an opera company, and scheduling and pricing cuts out another swath of interested folks in markets that do have an opera company. The Metropolitan Opera company has enjoyed success showing HD productions of its performances in theaters worldwide, and is now branching out to even more markets with PBS. The performances will appear underneath the "Great Performances" banner, so check your local listings if you're interested. We promise we won't tell your sports-fanatic crew you broke out the wine and cheese and peeped some opera!
West Des Moines theater bitten by HD Murphy's Law
Everyone with a projection system knows it all too well -- your bulb will choose to make its exit from the world of functional gadgets when you have a bunch of friends over to show off your HD rig. Take heart, it happens to the best of them: the second season premiere of The Metropolitan Opera's "Live in HD" in West Des Moines was struck down by Murphy's Law this past weekend. Part way through the showing of "Romeo et Juliet" a bulb burned out on the star-crossed lovers, leaving only the soundtrack (accompanied by a grumbling audience). Luckily, the broadcast was being taped, so the theater was able to show the production in its entirety after the bulb was replaced. Word to the wise -- keep a spare bulb handy for mission critical viewing!
Season 2 of Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD kicks off soon
Apparently, the first season of Metropolitan Opera: Live in High Definition went over quite well, as the second season looks to hit even more venues and capture the hearts of more individuals in 2007 - 2008. Reportedly, the season gets started on December 15th with a live opera transmission of Gounod's Roméo et Juliette, which will be the first of eight total broadcasts. Other features include Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, Verdi's Macbeth, Puccini's Manon Lescaut, Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, Britten's Peter Grimes and Donizetti's La Fille du Régiment. Over 600 venues in North America, Australia, Europe and Japan will be participating in the Met's upcoming series, and if all goes to plan, over one million people will be picking up tickets. Speaking of which, be sure to hit the read link for more detailed information on ticket prices, venues and schedules, and do be sure to let us know how things turn out if you take in a show or two.
