What Did Critics Think of Marnie at the Metropolitan Opera, Directed by Michael Mayer? | Playbill

The Verdict What Did Critics Think of Marnie at the Metropolitan Opera, Directed by Michael Mayer? Isabel Leonard sings the title role in Nico Muhly and Nicholas Wright's take on the Hitchcockian tale.
Isabel Leonard, Dísella Lárusdóttir, Peabody Southwell, Deanna Breiwick, and Rebecca Ringle Kamarei in Marnie Ken Howard/Met Opera

The new opera Marnie opened October 19 at the Metropolitan Opera, marking the North American premiere of composer Nico Muhly and librettist Nicholas Wright's haunting piece.

Inspired by the Winston Graham novel (which was also adapted for the screen by Alfred Hitchcock), the opera follows a young woman in the 1950s who assumes multiple identities, building upon layers of deceit and stealth as she flees from a mysterious past trauma.

Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (currently represented on Broadway with Head Over Heels) directs the production, which debuted at English National Opera last year; he is also set to helm the Met's new production of La Traviata later this season.

Read reviews for the North American premiere below.

New York Classical Review (Eric C. Simpson)

New York Magazine/Vulture (Justin Davidson)

The New York Times (Anthony Tommasini)

OperaWire (David Salazar)

The Washington Post (Anne Midgette)

In addition to Leonard, the cast includes Christopher Maltman as Mark Rutland, Iestyn Davies (Farinelli and the King) as Terry Rutland, Janis Kelly as Mrs. Rutland, and Denyce Graves as Marnie's Mother. Robert Spano conducts.

Performances will continue through November 10.

 

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