(The Metropolitan Opera – Verdi: Macbeth)

Content: Verdi’s admiration for Shakespeare led to such masterpieces as Othello and Falstaff, and if the earlier Macbeth isn’t on their exalted level it’s still a powerfully dramatic opera that hews closely to the original’s story line. The MET’s production retains the dark aura of the opera while updating it to a vaguely post-modern context. So the witches are bag ladies in various stages of decrepitude, with children in tow. The Banquet Scene features lowered chandeliers, a plethora of chairs, and a slew of extras dressed in tuxedos and party gowns. Macbeth sports a leather coat, the soldiers are in drab brown uniforms and seem to have fingers on their triggers even when they’re supposed to be in non-threatening situations. Director Adrian Noble also has Lady Macbeth do an inordinate amount of writhing around and singing from a lying-down position, adding to the feeling that a less interventionist directorial hand might have generated more impact.

Countries:

United States of America

Genres:

Drama,

Music

Runtime:

157 minutes

Year:

2008

Directors:

Gary Halvorson

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Production companies:

The Metropolitan Opera,

EMI

Actors:

Macbeth

Banquo

Lady Macbeth

Lady-in-waiting to Lady Macbeth

McDuff, Thane of Fife

Crews:

Director

Original Music Composer

Writer

Production Design

Wardrobe Supervisor