Fairfield University presents The Met Live in HD opening night gala September 22 | Press Releases

Image: Renee Fleming The Metropolitan Opera celebrates the start of its 125th anniversary season with a grand Opening Night celebration starring acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming, Monday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. The festivities will be transmitted from New York City live in HD directly to Fairfield University on the screen at the Quick Center for the Arts beginning at 6:00 p.m. Patrons will have the opportunity to enjoy the red carpet arrivals and the entire excitement attendant on such a grand occasion. There is open seating only and the audience is encouraged to arrive in plenty of time to settle in and enjoy the gala event. There will be celebratory complimentary champagne served during the intermission.

Fleming is no stranger to Opening Night at the Met. Over her illustrious career with the company, the soprano has heralded the start of the season no less than four times. This year, as the company kicks off its anniversary season, the soprano will perform in two fully staged acts and the final scene from three of her favorite operas. Each performance will showcase the work of three renowned fashion designers who have created costumes especially for Fleming for this one-night-only event. Christian Lacroix has created two gowns for "La Traviata," Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel has made a costume for "Manon," and for "Capriccio," the diva will be dressed by John Galliano.

Image: Renee Fleming Joining Fleming in the Opening Night Gala are the American baritones Thomas Hampson and Dwayne Croft, English bass Robert Lloyd and Mexican tenor Ramón Vargas, all world-renowned singers with long histories at the Met. This remarkable cast will perform under the batons of three acclaimed conductors, music director James Levine, Italian maestro Marco Armilliato and Patrick Summers.

Tickets are $22, $20 seniors, $15 children/students and are available at http://www.fairfield.edu/quick or by calling the Box Office at (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396. For further information on the series, visit the MetHD website at www.fairfield.edu/metHD.