Whitefish airs The Met: Live in HD opera ‘Andrea Chénier'

A Metropolitan Opera production of the passionate tragedy, “Andrea Chénier,” will be streamed at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center Dec. 13. 

Sung in Italian with subtitles, “Andrea Chénier” is a passionate love story set in Paris against the backdrop of real-life events of the French Revolution.  

Andrea Chénier, a virtuous poet brought up in the lap of luxury, is unhappy with the social inequality around him. He’s in love with Maddalena di Coigny, a beautiful young aristocrat, but her family’s servant, Carlo Gérard, who resents the privileged upper classes, also harbors a deep passion for her. As the jealous Carlo Gérard becomes an integral player in the Revolution, he uses his new power to condemn rival Andrea Chénier to death. A heartbroken Maddalena di Coigny pleads with him to change his mind, but their fates have been sealed. 

Considered Umberto Giordano’s most popular work, “Andrea Chénier” is a masterpiece of the verismo style, known for its emotional intensity and grand historical setting. The main character is based on a “fanciful interpretation” of the life of French poet André Chénier, who was executed in 1794 near the end of the Reign of Terror, according to metopera.org. 

Starring tenor Piotr Beczała as Andrea Chénier, soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Maddalena di Coigny and baritone Igor Golovatenko as Carlo Gérard, with Daniele Rustioni conducting the Nicolas Joël production. 

The opera starts at 11 a.m. and has an approximate runtime of 3 hours and 30 minutes with two intermissions. After the performance, cast interviews and other behind-the-scenes content will be shown. Food and beverages will be available for purchase during the performance. 

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students (cash or check only) and will be sold at the door.  Scholarships are available for students.    

The Met: Live in HD program is presented by the Whitefish Theatre Company in partnership with the Whitefish Performing Arts Center 

For more information, visit whitefishtheatreco.org or call 862-5371. 

    The Met: Live in HD program presents “Andrea Chénier” starring tenor Piotr Beczała in the title role of the virtuous poet, soprano Sonya Yoncheva as his aristocratic lover, Maddalena di Coigny, and baritone Igor Golovatenko as Carlo Gérard, the jealous servant who seals their fates. (Photo by the Metropolitan Opera)