Beginning at 6:30 this evening, the Met offers a brand-new production of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor — on the opera house stage, on Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center and in Times Square. The outdoor simulcasts are free, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. And if you aren't able to get out to see the opera, you can listen in via the Met's channel on Sirius Satellite Radio or in free streaming audio at the Met's website, www.metopera.org.
Natalie Dessay goes wild as opera's favorite madwoman, with Marcello Giordani as her beloved Edgardo, Mariusz Kwiecien as her brother Enrico, John Relyea as Raimondo and tenor Stephen Costello in his company debut as Arturo. Met music director James Levine conducts, and the production is directed by theater luminary Mary Zimmerman in her house debut.
Tonight's performance is dedicated to the memory of the late, great Beverly Sills.
Lucia receives eight more performances through October 25 and another three March 5-13, 2008.