The Met: Live in HD presents Karita Mattila's "Possessed" Salome at Fairfield University October 11 | Press Releases

"...I cannot think of a performance on any stage in New York right now that tops Ms. Mattila's Salome for courage, intensity and emotional nakedness," wrote New York Times critic Anthony Tommasini in his Sept. 25th review of the Met's revival of Richard Strauss' "Salome." The opera will be performed live in HD at Fairfield University in the Quick Center for the Arts on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 1:00 p.m. with an encore performance at 7:00 p.m. the same evening.

Karita Mattila, triumphant four years ago in the title role of Jürgen Flimm's premiere Met production, returns in this revival. Tommasini is once more captivated: "The production remains a triumph ... Vocally Ms. Mattila is born to this daunting role… (she) unleashes chilling, hard-edged top notes that slice through Strauss's king-size orchestra." These accolades are stirring and speak to the essence of the high standards the Met productions regularly achieve.

What may be surprising to opera newcomers and veterans alike, are the provocative descriptions Tommasini also uses to capture the Met's edgy and dangerous approach to this Strauss opera. With descriptive terms and phrases like "gender-bending ... musically voluptuous necrophilia ... possessed ... glamorous ... removed item after item of her costume until in a moment of delirious triumph, she stood, arms aloft, completely naked," the image of the predictable version of opera so familiar to many is enticingly transformed into opera of the 21st century.

This, and nine more Met: Live in HD operas are at the Quick Center for the Arts on the campus of Fairfield University. Next in the season, is a new production of John Adams' "Doctor Atomic" on Sunday, November 9.

Tickets are $22 adults, $20 seniors, $15 children and students and are available online at fairfield.edu/quick or by calling the Box Office at (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396.