The Metropolitan Opera – Verdi: Macbeth 16 years old

The Metropolitan Opera – Verdi: Macbeth

Verdi’s admiration for Shakespeare led to such masterpieces as Othello and Falstaff, and if the earlier Macbeth isn’t on their exalted level it’s still a powerfully dramatic opera that hews closely to the original’s story line. The MET’s production retains the dark aura of the opera while updating it to a vaguely post-modern context. So the witches are bag ladies in various stages of decrepitude, with children in tow. The Banquet Scene features lowered chandeliers, a plethora of chairs, and a slew of extras dressed in tuxedos and party gowns. Macbeth sports a leather coat, the soldiers are in drab brown uniforms and seem to have fingers on their triggers even when they’re supposed to be in non-threatening situations. Director Adrian Noble also has Lady Macbeth do an inordinate amount of writhing around and singing from a lying-down position, adding to the feeling that a less interventionist directorial hand might have generated more impact.

Credits

The Metropolitan Opera – Verdi: Macbeth Cast

Name Character
Maria Guleghina She was 48, now 65 years old as Lady Macbeth

The Metropolitan Opera – Verdi: Macbeth Crew

Name Department
Giuseppe Verdi as Original Music Composer. He was 194 (87) years old when He died Sound
Gary Halvorson as Director. He was 8 (now 24) years old Directing
The Metropolitan Opera – Verdi: Macbeth poster
The Metropolitan Opera – Verdi: Macbeth (16 years)

  • Release day: Sunday, April 13, 2008
  • Runtime: 157 minutes