Iolanta by Tchaikovsky, P. I., Bluebeard's Castle by Bartók, Ó (2019/2019), Seoltóir Henrik Nánási, Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, United States

In 2015, director Mariusz Treliñski thrilled audiences with his pairing of two lesser-known masterworks, Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta and Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle. During the 2018–19 season, the double bill returned to the Met stage for the first time since its celebrated premiere run, showcasing an ensemble of stellar singers. In this Saturday matinee radio broadcast, soprano Sonya Yoncheva sings the blind title princess of the fairy-tale Iolanta, alongside tenor Matthew Polenzani as Vaudémont, the charming knight who falls for her. In Bartók’s dark thriller, soprano Angela Denoke is the devoted Judith, a woman determined to uncover the secrets hiding behind every door in the home of her new husband, Duke Bluebeard, eerily brought to life by bass-baritone Gerald Finley. Maestro Henrik Nánási is on the podium for both halves of the program, leading a tour-de-force performance for both singers and orchestra.