The Metropolitan Opera – Verdi: Macbeth
8.0
Verdi’s admiration for Shakespeare led to such masterpieces as Othello and Falstaff, and if the earlier Macbeth isn’t on their exalted level it’s still a powerfully dramatic opera that hews closely to the original’s story line. The MET’s production retains the dark aura of the opera while updating it to a vaguely post-modern context. So the witches are bag ladies in various stages of decrepitude, with children in tow. The Banquet Scene features lowered chandeliers, a plethora of chairs, and a slew of extras dressed in tuxedos and party gowns. Macbeth sports a leather coat, the soldiers are in drab brown uniforms and seem to have fingers on their triggers even when they’re supposed to be in non-threatening situations. Director Adrian Noble also has Lady Macbeth do an inordinate amount of writhing around and singing from a lying-down position, adding to the feeling that a less interventionist directorial hand might have generated more impact.
Where to watch
Not streaming anywhere
Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
Your rating
Your review
Cast
17 people
Željko Lučić
Macbeth
Also in
The Metropolitan Opera: Rigoletto
Royal Opera House: Macbeth
John Relyea
Banquo
Also in
Edward Elgar - The Dream of Gerontius
Rossini: La Cenerentola
Maria Guleghina
Lady Macbeth
Also in
Puccini: Turandot
Turandot
Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs
Lady-in-waiting to Lady Macbeth
Also in
The Extra Man
Dimitri Pittas
McDuff, Thane of Fife
Also in
Verdi: Otello
MacBeth
Mary Jo Heath
Self - Special Guest Interviewer
Richard Hobson
A Servant of Macbeth
Also in
John Doe: Vigilante
Raymond Renault
Duncan, King of Scotland
Russell Thomas
Malcolm, Duncan's Son
Also in
Verdi: Nabucco
Mozart: Idomeneo
Adam Hauser Piñero
Fleance, Banquo's Son
No other roles listed
Keith Miller
A Murderer
Also in
Bizet: Carmen
Puccini: Turandot
David Crawford
A Warrior
Also in
The Metropolitan Opera: Un Ballo in Maschera
The Metropolitan Opera: Rigoletto
Gary Halvorson Director · Francesco Maria Piave Writer Andrea Maffei Writer
United States release April 13, 2008 · Produced in United States · Production EMI
Production
The Metropolitan Opera
Production
EMI
Production
United States
Produced in
Languages
Original language
Italian
Spoken on screen
Italian
Release dates
United States · April 13, 2008
Theatrical
More from Gary Halvorson
Other films they directed, best known first.
If you liked The Metropolitan Opera – Verdi: Macbeth
Picks that share its genres, themes, cast and crew.
