A rarely performed bel canto gem, Rossini’s Semiramide returned to the Met for the first time in nearly 25 years during the 2017–18 season. Set in ancient Babylon under the reign of the mythic Queen Semiramis, the opera features political scheming, mistaken identity, divine intervention, and bloodthirsty revenge—not to mention one virtuosic vocal display after another. Soprano Angela Meade is the fierce title monarch, whose quest for power comes to a halt with the discovery that the object of her affection, the warrior Arsace—sung by mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong—may actually be her long-lost son. Together, the two square off in a pair of dazzling duets and deliver some of the opera’s most challenging arias. Bel canto specialist Maurizio Benini takes the podium to lead a cast that also stars tenor Javier Camarena as the ardent prince Idreno, bass Ildar Abdrazakov as the scheming Assur, and bass Ryan Speedo Green as the stern high priest Oroe.

Massive ensembles. White hot arias. The dark recesses of the mind. Verdi’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s smoldering tragedy is a riveting exploration of power, corruption, and freedom. Meet opera’s most power-hungry couple: Macbeth and his Lady. When they’re caught in a murderous plot to claim the Scottish throne, their manic greed for control has no end. Verdi wrote this powerhouse during Italy’s independence movement, and it soars with themes of political corruption, tyrannical rule, and liberation of the people. Macbeth takes audiences through a gripping tale of ambition and scandal, from the first note to the spectacular closing chorus. As the chilling finale approaches, ghosts of the past lurk in the shadows. Power unchecked comes at a cost; what can stop its bloody path of destruction?

Ten years ago, the ‘Hannover Klassik Open Air’ was launched under the motto ‘Opera for everyone’. A success story that has lost none of its charm to this day. This anniversary show presents highlights from past open-air concerts with new international singing stars in Hanover's illuminated Maschpark.