New York Metropolitan Opera

Arts Notices
Live simulcast of "Orfeo ed Euridice," noon

When: 01/24/09
Cost: $22
Call: 800-638-6737
Web: www.FathomEvents.com

More Information:
National CineMedia and the Metropolitan Opera have partnered to bring a third season of the critically-acclaimed The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD series transmitted live, in high-definition, to more than 440 movie theatres and performing arts centers in the United States.

The 2008-09 season of The Met: Live in HD will be the biggest to date, expanding from eight to 11 live high-definition opera transmissions. Kicking off the season on September 22nd and celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Met will be the never-before-seen, big-screen Opening Night Gala celebration starring soprano Renee Fleming. The new series will also feature live transmissions of five new productions, including one Met premiere. Each live performance, with the exception of the Opening Night Gala, will be followed by an evening encore presentation the second Wednesday after the live performance.

Visit www.FathomEvents.com to learn more about ticket prices and to purchase tickets. Ticket prices vary by location.

This season's Met Opera series will be showing at the following theatres in your area!

Point UltraScreen Cinemas 16, 7825 Big Sky Drive, Madison

National CineMedia and The Metropolitan Opera Renew Agreement to Bring Acclaimed Live Opera Series to More Than 440 Theatres Across the United States

The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD Kicks Off its
Return to Theatres Nationwide for its Third Season with the Met's Opening Night Gala, starring Renee Fleming

2008-09 Met: Live in HD Series Season Tickets on Sale Friday, Aug. 22nd

National CineMedia (NCM) LLC, operator of the largest digital in-theatre network in North America for cinema advertising and alternative entertainment and events, and the Metropolitan Opera are proudly partnering to bring a third season of the critically-acclaimed The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD series transmitted live, in high-definition, to more than 440 movie theatres and performing arts centers in the United States. Based on overwhelming consumer demand, the series will now reach new markets and theatres throughout the United States in a 30 percent theatre expansion over last season.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public in the United States beginning Friday, August 22nd. Visit www.FathomEvents.com to learn more and purchase tickets. Ticket prices vary by location.

The 2008-09 season of The Met: Live in HD will be the biggest yet, expanding from eight to 11 live high-definition opera transmissions. Kicking off the season on September 22nd and celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Met will be the never-before-seen, big-screen Opening Night Gala celebration starring soprano Renee Fleming in fully staged performances of scenes from Verdi's La Traviata (Act II), Massenet's Manon (Act III), and the final scene from Richard Strauss' Capriccio. The new series will also feature live transmissions of five new productions, including one Met premiere. Each live performance, with the exception of the Opening Night Gala, will be followed by an evening encore presentation the second Wednesday after the live performance. For information on advance tickets and Met Opera membership, visit www.metopera.org/hd.

Through this agreement, NCM Fathom, the alternative entertainment division of National CineMedia, will present The Met: Live in HD series in more than 440 locations via NCM's exclusive Digital Broadcast Network - North America's largest cinema broadcast network. Participating theatres include AMC Entertainment Inc., Celebration! Cinema, Cinemark Holdings, Inc., Clearview Cinemas, Georgia Theatre Company, Goodrich Quality Theatres, Hollywood Theaters, Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, Malco Theatres, Marcus Theatres, National Amusements and Regal Entertainment Group movie theatres, as well as independent theatres including Arena Theatre, The Arlington Theatre, Baltimore Opera Company - Lyric Opera House, Ocean Reef Cultural Center, Penn Cinema, Rose Theatre, The Society of the Four Arts Theatre, Strand Theatre, State Theatre (State College, PA) and the State Theatre (Traverse City, MI).

"The audience for opera is growing with each new movie theatre that joins our network," said Met General Manager Peter Gelb. "Our expanded lineup of 11 live high-definition transmissions will bring many of the highlights of our Met season to the nation's opera lovers."

The Met: Live in HD series has captured international headlines as well as critical and popular acclaim for the in-theatre opera events. Reaching more than 900,000 fans around the world last season through live and encore presentations, the series offers opera fans exclusive behind-the-scenes features, live interviews with cast and crew, insightful short documentaries, and bird's-eye views of the productions, offering an unprecedented look at what goes into the staging of operas at one of the most famous opera companies in the world.

"We are excited to bring a third season of live and encore opera performances to hundreds of communities though our exclusive U.S. partnership with the Met," said Shelly Maxwell, NCM's senior vice president of program development and business operations. "The Met: Live in HD series has been a tremendous success and has developed a loyal fan base of opera lovers - young and old - in movie theatres around the country. We look forward to another thrilling season."