Music Academy of the West to Simulcast
Metropolitan Opera Performances
New program to begin this fall; performances will be seen in Hahn Hall
For Immediate Release June 4, 2008
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
Santa Barbara, CA – Further solidifying its stature as one of the region's leading destinations for outstanding classical music events, the Music Academy of the West will broadcast live performances by the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera at the Academy's newly refurbished Hahn Hall beginning in October, the two organizations have announced.
Under a just-completed agreement, the Music Academy will become one of about 70 nonprofit organizations to participate in the Met's groundbreaking "Live in HD" series. Launched in December 2006, the series features live transmissions of Met Opera performances to select venues in 17 countries throughout the world. Most participating venues are movie theaters. The transmissions are in high definition, and performances are captured using robotic cameras and other advanced technologies. As a result, simulcast viewers can see the onstage action from striking angles and enjoy a heightened awareness of the narrative elements of both the performance and the production. Simulcasts also include behind-the-scenes features, live interviews with cast and crew, and insightful short documentaries. Says The New York Times' Anthony Tommasini: "The Metropolitan Opera's high-definition transmissions ... add crucial elements of live theater and collective excitement to the experience of opera on screen."
"This collaboration presents wonderful new opportunities for our patrons," said Music Academy Board Chairman James E. Davidson. "I see this being just the beginning. We're entering an exciting new era in which satellite transmissions of serious music from all over the world will become increasingly abundant. This arrangement is the perfect complement to what we do. And we've been lucky to find donors who share that vision."
Mr. Davidson praised Music Academy benefactors Leatrice Luria and Leslie Ridley-Tree, both of whom funded the technology necessary to simulcast the Met transmissions in Hahn Hall.
"The goals and mission of the Met and the Music Academy are closely aligned. I am exceedingly pleased with this development in our relationship. It speaks volumes about our significance as an important summer school and festival, particularly - but not exclusively - for talented young singers," said Music Academy President NancyBell Coe.
"I am very pleased that the Music Academy of the West will be participating in ‘The Met: Live in HD' series," said Peter Gelb, general manager of the Metropolitan Opera. "With one of the Met's great stars, Marilyn Horne, as voice director, and 16 alumni on our current roster, the Music Academy already has close connections to the Met. I look forward to this new phase of our collaboration."
The Met has announced that its "Live in HD" series will feature 10 transmissions for 2008-09, plus an opening night gala on September 22 starring soprano Renée Fleming and baritone and Music Academy alumnus Thomas Hampson, among others. Season highlights will include the December 20 performance of Massenet's Thaïs, conducted by Jesús López-Cobos and with Ms. Fleming in the title role and Mr. Hampson appearing as the monk Athanaël, and the March 21 performance of Bellini's La Sonnambula, starring Natalie Dessay and Music Academy alumnus Juan Diego Flórez. Most Met performances will be simulcast on Saturdays at 10 am local time, with encore screenings on Sundays at 2 pm.
"The Met: Live in HD" series has met with impressive commercial and critical success, prompting the Met to increase the number of transmissions from eight last season and to rapidly expand its pool of participating venues. Accordingly, Music Academy officials expect demand for tickets to be high. Patrons will have the opportunity to reserve seating in advance, which is likely to spur interest.
The Music Academy will offer subscriptions to two series: the 10 live Saturday transmissions and the 10 Sunday encore screenings. Met members will have priority access to series tickets beginning August 8. Music Academy donors and subscribers may purchase tickets beginning August 15. Series sales will open to the general public on August 22. Single ticket sales will commence September 12.
When it is inaugurated in June at the start of the Music Academy's 2008 Summer School and Festival, Hahn Hall will include seating for 350; capacity is reduced to 300 during non-Festival months. Phillips Metsch Sweeney Moore Architects is overseeing the renovation project in collaboration with the renowned acoustics consulting firm McKay Conant Brook. The renovated facility will feature vastly improved acoustics, a raked floor for improved sightlines, a remodeled lobby, a ticket office, upgraded electrical and mechanical capabilities, and easy handicap access, and new and larger bathrooms. Related site improvements will include a substantial increase in parking spaces, a widened main driveway for improved vehicular circulation, elegant landscaping, and improved pedestrian access from lower parking lots to campus facilities.
For more information, call 969-4726.
Founded in 1947, the Music Academy of the West is among the nation's preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. The Academy provides these promising musicians with the opportunity for advanced study and frequent performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty artists, as well as guest conductors and soloists. Admission to the Academy is strictly merit based, and Fellows receive full scholarships (tuition, room, and board). Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many enjoy careers as prominent solo artists. Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 200 public events annually, including performances by faculty, visiting artists, and Fellows; masterclasses; orchestra and chamber music concerts; and fully staged opera. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.
Additional information on the Met's "Live in HD" series is available here.
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