Thaïs - Metropolitan Opera

The story

When the most voluptuous, sought-after courtesan in the world meets an ascetic monk whose life is devoted to God, you know erotic sparks are going to fly. And when the clash takes place in a glorious, but rarely performed, opera by Massenet, it’s a delight to the ear just as much as to the eye. Renée Fleming is every inch the glamorous Thaïs, swathed in elegant gowns designed by Christian Lacroix. Thomas Hampson is Athanaël, the tortured man of God. This production by John Cox, which premiered in December 2008, brilliantly sets the stage for a confrontation as old as civilization itself.

Cast

R Renée FlemingThaïs T Thomas HampsonAthanaël M Michael SchadeNicias A Alain VernhesPalémon A Alyson CambridgeCrobyle G Ginger Costa-JacksonMyrtale L Leah PartridgeLa charmeuse M Maria ZifchakAlbine T Trevor ScheunemannGuard D Daniel Clark SmithCenobite Monk R Roger AndrewsCenobite Monk K Kurt PhinneyCenobite Monk

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R Richard PearsonCenobite Monk C Craig MontgomeryCenobite Monk Z Zahra HashemianSolo dancer D David ChanSelf - Violin soloist J Jesús López-CobosSelf - Conductor P Plácido DomingoSelf - Host M MET Orchestra