Met Opera begins summer encores

The Met Opera Summer HD Encores begin this Sunday at Palace Cineplex and Palace Multiplex. The Met Opera's award-winning Live in HD series of movie theatre presentations will be shown at 11:30 a.m.

This Sunday's presentation is Michael Mayer's acclaimed production of Rigoletto. The talk of the opera world when it premiered in 2013, it sets the action of Verdi's masterpiece in 1960 Las Vegas - a neon-lit world ruled by money and powerful, ruthless men.

In this bold new interpretation (featured on 60 Minutes), Piotr Beczala is the Duke, a popular entertainer and casino owner. Zeljko Lucic sings Rigoletto, a comedian and the Duke's sidekick, and Diana Damrau is Rigoletto's innocent daughter, Gilda. When she is seduced by the Duke, Rigoletto sets out on a tragic course of murderous revenge.

Mayer is an acclaimed Tony Award director and his vision of Rigoletto in Las Vegas is a theatrically intriguing strategy which has captured the imagination of opera lovers. The setting also lends itself to striking visuals that bring the neon-drenched atmosphere of Vegas to spectacular intensity on the Met's grand stage.

Mayer engaged set designer Christine Jones and lighting designer Kevin Adams to devise the glittering wonderland. The team has created a series of beautiful light sculptures that bathe the stage in all shades of red, green, yellow and blue.

Fitting costumes

The effect is dazzlingly electric, with Susan Hilferty's stunning period costumes providing a perfect complement in a truly arresting approach.

Met Summer Encores will play at Palace Cineplex and Palace Multiplex until September 28. The schedule is:

Sunday, August 3, La Rondine (Puccini); Sunday, August 17, Othello (Verdi); Sunday, August 31,The Enchanted Island, featuring ensembles by Handel, Vivaldi, Rameau, Purcell and others; Sun, Sept 14, Romeo Et Juliette (Grounoud); Sun, Sept 28, La Fanciulla Del West (Puccini).