Opera is exciting, passionate, spectacular - and expensive.
"We're constantly complaining that young people aren't being exposed to opera," says THT executive director Douglas Anderson, "but a primary reason is the high ticket price. We wanted to do something about that."
Anderson contacted the Metropolitan Opera staff last spring with the idea of offering inexpensive students tickets to the second showing of each 2009-2010 broadcast - and to his surprise, they agreed.
"I think we're the only theater in the country offering this special deal for young people," says Anderson.
Nine operas will be broadcast this year in beautiful high-definition. The first showing of each opera is live, and tickets remain $22 for the live broadcasts. THT presents an Encore a few days later, a taped version of the live broadcast, and these Encores will now feature the $10 student ticket.
"These broadcasts are the perfect introduction to opera for young people," says Anderson. "They catch the bold theatricality of the sets and costumes, but the close-ups catch every nuance of the acting."
The first broadcast of the season is Puccini's TOSCA, starring famed soprano Karita Mattila. The live broadcast is Saturday, October 10 at 1 pm. $10 student tickets are available for the Encore showing on Sunday, October 18 at 3 pm.
Tickets are available at www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the THT Box Office or at the door (if available).
PHOTO CAPTION: Encores of the met Opera Live in HD broadcasts at Town Hall theater will now feature a $10 student ticket. (Pictured: Aida, October 25-26.) Tickets are available at www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the THT Box Office or at the door (if available).
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