Live, From New York

The summer opera season's come and gone here in St. Louis, but in New York the machinery is just being cranked up to cruising speed. The Metropolitan Opera opens its 125th season tonight at 5 p.m. our time with a larger-than-normal opening gala — and thanks to the magic of simulcasting, you can be there by going to the auditorium of the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park (314-721-0072 or www.slam.org). Maestro James Levine conducts soprano Renée Fleming in three fully-staged renditions of her signature roles: The second act of Verdi's La Traviata; the third act of Massenet's Manon; And the final scene of Richard Strauss' Capriccio. Tenor Ramón Vargas, baritones Thomas Hampson and Dwayne Croft and bass Robert Lloyd also perform. Admission is $15 to $22.
Mon., Sept. 22, 2008