The Met: In Focus

This episode explores Georges Bizet's opera Carmen, focusing on its unforgettable melodies, the complex character of Carmen, and the tragic story of her relationship with Don José.

This episode explores Handel's opera Agrippina, highlighting its beautiful music, satirical take on power politics in ancient Rome, and historical context.

This episode explores Francesco Cilea's opera 'Adriana Lecouvreur', based on the true story of an 18th-century French actress whose dramatic life and mysterious death inspired a beloved operatic work.

This episode explores Verdi's opera La Traviata, focusing on its tragic story, beautiful music, and historical context.

This episode explores Alban Berg's opera Wozzeck, examining its origins in Büchner's play, its reflection of post-World War I societal collapse, and its powerful depiction of psychological tragedy.

This episode introduces 'Marnie,' a new psychological opera by Nico Muhly commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera, based on Winston Graham's novel and exploring themes of identity, crime, and deceit.

This episode explores Puccini's final opera Turandot, discussing its origins, unique musical style, and the dramatic story of Princess Turandot and Prince Kalaf.

This episode explores Donizetti's opera La Fille du Régiment, highlighting its engaging romantic comedy formula, memorable characters like Marie and Tonio, and its appeal as a vehicle for star performers.

This episode explores Wagner's opera Die Walküre, focusing on its plot involving gods and humans, the conflict between Wotan and his daughter Brunhilde, and Wagner's significance in artistic history.

This episode explores Wagner's opera Der fliegende Holländer, highlighting its supernatural themes, musical genius, and the composer's personal experiences that inspired it.

This episode explores Poulenc's opera 'Dialogues des Carmélites,' which blends traditional opera with modernist elements to tell the story of nuns facing martyrdom during the French Revolution.

This episode explores Philip Glass's opera 'Akhnaten,' focusing on its portrayal of the pharaoh Akhenaten's revolutionary monotheistic vision in ancient Egypt and its place within Glass's portrait trilogy of operas.

This episode explores Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly, focusing on its tragic story of a Japanese geisha and an American naval officer, its universal emotional impact, and Puccini's inspiration from David Belasco's play.

This episode explores Massenet's opera 'Manon', highlighting its French cultural essence, sensual music, and the story of a young woman's pursuit of love and luxury based on an 18th-century novel.

This episode of The Met: In Focus explores Verdi's Aida, highlighting its grand operatic scale and the clarity of its music and drama.

This episode of The Met: In Focus explores Puccini's La Fanciulla del West, focusing on its setting in Gold Rush-era California and the character of Minnie, a tavern keeper in a mining camp.

This episode explores Saint-Saëns's opera Samson et Dalila, analyzing its blend of spiritual and sensual music, historical context from 19th century Paris, and the dramatic confrontation between the biblical characters.