Turning tips into memories

Opera cinema screenings: London showcases international casts

By Claudia Pritchard on 20/12/2019

Modern masterpieces take their place alongside much-loved classics in stupendous screenings from London's and New York's top houses, with stars from all over the world. Settle back in a comfy seat for the finest hours in all opera

Wozzeck, Metropolitan Opera, New York

Artist William Kentridge directs Alban Berg’s masterpiece, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, with baritone Peter Mattei as the disturbed title character, soprano Elza van den Heever as his unfaithful lover, plus tenor Christopher Ventris, bass-baritone Christian Van Horn, and tenor Gerhard Siegel. Catch a modern classic not frequently performed.

WHEN

Sat 11 Jan, 5:55PM (check locally)

WHERE

Cinemas throughout London, including Barbican

La Bohème, Royal Opera House

Puccini's colourful and ultimately tragic story of Bohemian artists in late 19th-century Paris returns to Covent Garden with a starry cast led by Sonia Yoncheva as Mimì, and Charles Castronovo as Rodolfo. The couple meet in their cheap and cheerful digs, but their passionate affair is clouded by argument and illness, in a traditional production by director Richard Jones.

WHEN

Wed 29 Jan, 7:45PM

WHERE

Cinemas throughout London, including Barbican

Porgy and Bess, Metropolitan Opera, New York

James Robinson's spectacular production stars Angel Blue as Bess, whose devotion to beggar Porgy enrages a former lover. George and Ira Gershwin's tune-packed opera draws on their experience honed by Broadway musicals. Yet another English National Opera production, shared with Dutch National Opera, reaches a new audience at the Lincoln Centre.

WHEN

Sat 1 Feb, 5:55PM (check locally)

WHERE

Cinemas throughout London, including Barbican

Joyce DiDonato and Franco Fagioli are dazzling in Agrippina. Photo: Bill Cooper

Handel's Agrippina

Glamorous, sexy, witty and fast-moving, this production was a huge at the Royal Opera House. Catch it on the big screen in a performance from the Met, New York, with Joyce DiDonato (pictured) in the title role as a ruthless queen.

WHEN

Sat 29 Feb, check times locally

WHERE

Cinemas throughout London, including Barbican (5:55PM)

Wagner's Der Fliegende Holländer (Flying Dutchman)

A lone sailor is condemned to roam the seas for ever, until true love releases him from his fate. Bryn Terfel sings the title role, with Anja Kempe as Senta, the young woman whose devotion sets him free, but at a terrible cost

WHEN

Sat 14 March, check times locally

WHERE

Cinemas throughout London, including Barbican (4:55PM)

Jonas Kaufmann stars at the Royal Opera House in Fidelio

Beethoven's Fidelio, Royal Opera House

Jonas Kaufmann (pictured) returns to Covent Garden in the leading role of Beethoven's only opera, as a political prisoner who refuses to compromise his beliefs. A sold-out event that will be impressive on the big screen, with its rousing prisoners' chorus.

WHEN

Tues 17 March; Encore: Sun 22 March

WHERE

Cinemas throughout London, including Barbican (Sun, 2PM)