Bel Canto World-Premiere Headed to Great Performances

Lyric is excited to share that Thirteen Productions LLC for WNET New York has selected the world-premiere production of Bel Canto to be part of the prestigious Great Performances television series on PBS. WNET will film the performances at Lyric on January 5 and 8, which will air as part of the 2016/17 television season.

Based on Ann Patchett's bestselling 2001 novel (inspired by the Peruvian hostage crisis of 1996-97), Bel Canto is a new opera composed by Jimmy López with libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz and curated by legendary soprano Renée Fleming, Lyric's creative consultant. Internationally acclaimed soprano Danielle de Niese stars as the American opera diva Roxane Coss. Sir Andrew Davis conducts the new Lyric production, directed by Kevin Newbury. 

Read the reviews here!

Matthew Diamond, who also recently directed television NBC’s live production of The Wiz, will direct the television presentation of Bel Canto, collaborating with the award-winning production team from WNET New York and Great Performances executive producer David Horn. 

Now in its 43rd season, PBS’s Great Performances has a history of capturing noteworthy live performances for national broadcast. Bringing Bel Canto to PBS will expose television audiences to a production that is both compelling and relevant, but you still have a chance to see it in person! Broadcast recordings add an extra element of excitement and energy, so these promise to be thrilling performances. Tickets are going fast and can be purchased here!