‘Hamlet’ wraps up Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD season

The Metropolitan Opera presents “Hamlet” for the the final Live in HD simulcast of the 2021-22 season to be shown at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center at Fryeburg Academy. Submitted photo

When Australian composer Brett Dean’s “Hamlet” had its world premiere at the Glyndebourne Festival in 2017, The Guardian declared, “New opera doesn’t often get to sound this good … Shakespeare offers a gauntlet to composers that shouldn’t always be picked up, but Dean’s Hamlet rises to the challenge.” Neil Armfield, who directed the work’s premiere, brings his acclaimed staging to the Met stage. Many of the original cast members have followed, including tenor Allan Clayton in the title role. Nicholas Carter makes his Met debut conducting a remarkable ensemble, which also features soprano Brenda Rae as Ophelia, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly as Gertrude, baritone Rod Gilfry as Claudius, and John Relyea as the ghost of Hamlet’s father.

Opera enthusiast Joe De Vito will be hosting his Opera Lecture Series at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, in the LHE/PAC Seminar Room. The lectures, which are free and open to the public, are designed to prepare attendees for the upcoming Live in HD simulcast.

Live in HD tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $10 for students. Order online at www.fryeburgacademy.org/pac, or call the box office at 207-544-9066. The LHE/PAC is located on the campus of Fryeburg Academy at 18 Bradley St., Fryeburg.