The Lincoln Center Plaza offers a captivating view during the Metropolitan Opera’s Summer HD Festival, which features outdoor screenings of performances from the Met’s Live in HD series, including the opera Grounded. This cherished annual event takes place from August 22 to September 1, 2025, providing approximately 2,500 free seats each night on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Opera are two distinct, world-renowned cultural institutions in New York City. While they are often both referred to as “The Met,” they serve very different purposes and are located in different parts of Manhattan. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met): The largest art museum in the United States and one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Its permanent collection contains over two million works spanning 5,000 years of history and culture from around the globe. The Metropolitan Opera (The Met Opera): The largest classical music organization in North America, known for its high-quality opera productions. It is one of the resident companies of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Screenings feature highlights from the 2024–25 season, including Verdi’s Aida, starring Angel Blue; Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann, starring Benjamin Bernheim, Erin Morley, and Pretty Yende; Strauss’s Salome, starring Elza van den Heever and Peter Mattei; and Puccini’s Tosca, starring Lise Davidsen and Freddie De Tommaso
The festival kicks off on Friday, August 22, with a screening of Academy Award–nominated film Maestro, directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, co-presented with Film at Lincoln Center and Netflix
More than 2,500 free seats available nightly; no tickets required
The complete listing of operas and start times can be found below.
The Summer HD Festival is generously supported by The Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust.
The Met: Live in HD series is made possible by a generous grant from its founding sponsor, the Neubauer Family Foundation. Digital support of The Met: Live in HD is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The Met: Live in HD is in partnership with Rolex.
THE 2025 MET SUMMER HD FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Friday, August 22, at 8PM
Maestro
Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan star in the Academy Award–nominated biopic about the legendary American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife, Felicia Montealegre.
Approximate running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Maestro is a co-presentation with Film at Lincoln Center and Netflix.
Saturday, August 23, at 8PM
Verdi’s Aida
Michael Mayer’s spectacular new production of Verdi’s epic drama brings the towering pyramids and gilded tombs of ancient Egypt to life with intricate projections and dazzling animations.
Original transmission: January 25, 2025
Approximate running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Sunday, August 24, at 8PM
Beethoven’s Fidelio
Filled with glorious music and celebrating the ideals of liberty, justice, and human dignity, Beethoven’s only opera features a star-studded cast in the Met’s striking, modern-day production.
Original transmission: March 15, 2025
Approximate running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Monday, August 25, at 8PM
Strauss’s Salome
Strauss’s riveting adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s play receives an illuminating new production that explores the darkest shadows of the mind.
Original transmission: May 17, 2025
Approximate running time: 1 hour, 55 minutes
Tuesday, August 26, at 7:30PM
Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro
A dynamic young cast stars in Mozart’s comic masterpiece, packed with hilarious hijinks, glorious melody, and sharp social commentary.
Original transmission: April 26, 2025
Approximate running time: 3 hours
Wednesday, August 27, at 8PM
Jeanine Tesori’s Grounded made its debut at the Kennedy Center on October 28, 2023, before moving to the Metropolitan Opera in 2024. Adapted from George Brant’s one-woman play, the story follows Jess, an F-16 fighter pilot whose unexpected pregnancy and motherhood forces her to leave the cockpit and engage in drone warfare from a distant trailer. The opera delves deep into Jess’s transformation—from the adrenaline of aerial combat to the isolating experience of remote drone operations. It portrays her psychological unraveling as the detachment inherent in drone warfare blurs her sense of duty and personal identity. Grounded offers a powerful reflection on modern military ethics, the challenges of motherhood, and the emotional toll of war. The creative team includes composer Jeanine Tesori, librettist George Brant, mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo leads the cast, earning praise for her intense and moving portrayal of Jess. Critics celebrated Tesori’s emotionally charged score. Grounded stands out as a daring addition to the operatic repertoire, confronting contemporary issues like the unseen psychological wounds of drone warfare. Grounded, composed by Tony Award-winner Jeanine Tesori and based on George Brant’s solo play, delves into the emotional complexities of drone warfare through the narrative of Jess, a fighter pilot transitioning to drone operations. Directed by Michael Mayer and enhanced by striking LED visuals, the production has received both praise and critique for its exploration of motherhood intertwined with modern combat.
Original transmission: October 19, 2024
Approximate running time: 1 hour, 55 minutes
Thursday, August 28, at 7:30PM
Jacques Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann is a captivating opéra fantastique that delves into the troubled life of the poet E. T. A. Hoffmann as he recounts three tragic love stories. The French libretto, penned by Jules Barbier, draws from Hoffmann’s own tales, making the protagonist both the narrator and the subject of this richly imaginative work. The Metropolitan Opera’s recent revival, directed by Broadway’s Bartlett Sher, brought a fresh, visually stunning perspective to the production. Broadcast live in HD on October 5, 2024, the performance offered a compelling blend of emotional depth and theatrical grandeur. Benjamin Bernheim delivered a powerful portrayal of Hoffmann, capturing the poet’s inner turmoil with nuance. Making her company debut, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya shone as Nicklausse, the ever-present muse and loyal companion. The three doomed women who shape Hoffmann’s fate were brought vividly to life by a talented trio: Erin Morley as Olympia, the mechanical doll whose eerie perfection masks a haunting emptiness; Pretty Yende as Antonia, the delicate singer whose vulnerability pulls at the heartstrings; and Clémentine Margaine as Giulietta, the alluring courtesan who entices with danger and desire. Christian Van Horn took on the chilling challenge of portraying the Four Villains, figures who relentlessly shadow Hoffmann’s journey. Under the baton of conductor Marco Armiliato, the production combined Offenbach’s sumptuous score with Cher’s inventive staging to create a spellbinding spectacle. Approximate running time: 2 hours, 55 minutes
Friday, August 29, at 8PM
Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas made a striking debut at the Metropolitan Opera, featuring a visually rich production by Mary Zimmerman. Drawing inspiration from Gabriel García Márquez’s magical realism, the opera tells the story of Florencia Grimaldi, a renowned diva who embarks on a river journey aboard the steamship El Dorado through the Amazon. Her quest is to find her lost lover, who mysteriously disappeared into the jungle. The cast delivered memorable performances, with Ailyn Pérez shining as Florencia, praised for her graceful and heartfelt portrayal. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted the orchestra, highlighting the opera’s lush and lyrical score. Among the supporting roles were Gabriella Reyes as Rosalba, the inquisitive journalist, and Greer Grimsley as the ship’s captain. Ensemble members Mattia Olivieri, Mario Chang, Nancy Fabiola Herrera, and Michael Chioldi added depth to the production. The opera was performed in Spanish with English subtitles for accessibility. Zimmerman’s staging transformed the Met’s stage into an enchanting Amazonian landscape filled with fluid movements and rich symbolism. Critics and audiences alike praised the production as one of the Metropolitan Opera’s most visually captivating and emotionally powerful presentations in recent years.
Original transmission: December 9, 2023
Approximate running time: 1 hour, 55 minutes
Saturday, August 30, at 8PM
Puccini’s Tosca is a masterwork that captures the raw intensity of human emotion through soaring melodies and gripping drama. Set in Rome during a time of political turmoil, the story revolves around Floria Tosca, a passionate and fiery opera singer, her devoted lover Cavaradossi, and the sinister police chief Scarpia. Their lives intertwine in a powerful narrative filled with jealousy, betrayal, and ultimate sacrifice. The opera’s sweeping arias and explosive scenes create a vivid tapestry of love and danger, culminating in a finale that leaves audiences breathless. Tosca remains a timeless piece, showcasing the very essence of opera’s emotional and theatrical power.
Original transmission: November 23, 2024
Approximate running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Sunday, August 31, at 7:30PM
Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia Rossini’s ever-popular comedy features a stellar cast in Tony Award–winner Bartlett Sher’s madcap staging. Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) is one of the most beloved comic operas of all time, composed by Gioachino Rossini in 1816. It’s a fast-paced,
witty, and musically dazzling tale of love, disguise, and clever scheming.
Set in Seville, Spain, the opera follows: It’s part of a trilogy of plays by Pierre Beaumarchais, which also inspired Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.
Count Almaviva, who is in love with Rosina, the clever and spirited ward of the grumpy old Dr. Bartolo.To win her heart without revealing his noble status, Almaviva disguises himself as a poor student named Lindoro. Enter Figaro, the town’s resourceful barber (and former servant to the Count), who helps orchestrate a series of hilarious and chaotic plans to outwit Bartolo and unite the lovers.
Key Characters:
Figaro – The barber, matchmaker, and mischief-maker. His famous aria “Largo al factotum” is a vocal fireworks display.
Rosina – Smart, strong-willed, and not easily fooled.
Count Almaviva – Romantic and determined, willing to go to great lengths for love.
Dr. Bartolo – Rosina’s guardian, who wants to marry her himself.
Don Basilio – A music teacher and Bartolo’s ally, known for the aria “La calunnia” about the power of gossip.
Original transmission: May 31, 2025
Approximate running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Monday, September 1, at 8PM
Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West
Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West) in Metropolitan Opera on October 27, 2018 showcased a remarkable cast and dynamic staging. At the heart of the performance was Eva-Maria Westbroek as Minnie, the strong and compassionate saloon owner whose warmth and grit anchored the story. Jonas Kaufmann portrayed Dick Johnson, also known as Ramerrez. Željko Lučić took on the role of Sheriff Jack Rance. Under the baton of conductor Marco Armiliato and the direction of Giancarlo del Monaco, the production embraced both the opera’s sweeping emotional landscape and its cinematic qualities.
Set during the California Gold Rush and based on David Belasco’s 1905 play, the opera tells a tale of love, redemption, and moral courage. Minnie’s saloon, the Polka, is a refuge beloved by miners. When the mysterious Dick Johnson arrives, Minnie falls for him, unaware that he is actually the notorious bandit Ramerrez. Sheriff Rance, also in love with Minnie, grows suspicious and aims to reveal Johnson’s true identity.
The tension culminates in a gripping poker game where Minnie stakes everything to protect Johnson, winning his freedom in a scene that ranks among the opera’s most thrilling moments. Ultimately, the miners, impressed by Minnie’s bravery and love, allow the couple to escape and start anew.
Original transmission: October 27, 2018
Approximate running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes
