Though we didn’t include him in January’s inaugural “Fascinating Men” issue, we very well could’ve added tenor Juan Diego Flórez. Though he grew up on the folk music of his native Peru, which he artfully incorporates into his concerts, Flórez has thrilled audiences around the world as one of the foremost operatic tenors of our time.
Lately, he’s been absent from The Metropolitan Opera stage, but this month he’s back in a new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” that’s being simulcast into theaters worldwide this Saturday, Dec. 15.Yannick Nézet-Séguin, The Met’s acclaimed new music director, conducts Michael Mayer’s production, whose Victorian sets shift with the seasons.
Soprano Diana Damrau is the tragic consumptive courtesan of the title; Flórez, her young lover; and baritone Quinn Kelsey, his father, Germont, who drives the lovers apart.
Here is the link for metro area theaters that are carrying the performance. If the theater near you is sold out, not to fret: The opera will be retransmitted on Wednesday, Dec. 19. Use the same link to click onto performance times for that date.
The cast performs through Dec. 29. Performances in the new year feature Anita Hartig, Stephen Costello, Artur Ruciński, and Plácido Domingo.
For more, visit metopera.org and get set for a fascinating new year from WAG as we announce our most fascinating man Jan. 2. Who will it be?
– Georgette Gouveia