Movie spotlight
The Metropolitan Opera: The Hours
Renée Fleming makes her highly anticipated return to the Met in the world-premiere production of Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Kevin Puts’s The Hours, adapted from Michael Cunningham’s acclaimed novel. Inspired by Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway and made a household name by the Oscar-winning 2002 film version starring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Nicole Kidman, the powerful story follows three women from different eras who each grapple with their inner demons and their roles in society. The exciting premiere radiates with star power, with Kelli O’Hara and Joyce DiDonato joining Fleming as the opera’s trio of heroines. Phelim McDermott directs this compelling drama, with Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium to conduct Puts’s poignant and powerful score.
Insights
Plot Summary
This acclaimed opera, based on Michael Cunningham's novel and featuring music by Kevin Puts, intertwines the stories of three women across different eras who are connected by the novel "Mrs. Dalloway." Virginia Woolf, struggling with mental illness while writing her masterpiece in the 1920s, is mirrored by a modern-day editor planning a party and a 1950s Long Island housewife seeking liberation. The narrative explores themes of mental health, societal expectations, and the search for meaning through shared experiences.
Critical Reception
The Metropolitan Opera's production of 'The Hours' received widespread critical acclaim for its powerful performances, particularly from its leading trio, and its emotionally resonant musical score. The staging was lauded for its effective visual storytelling, though some noted the operatic adaptation's challenges in translating the novel's nuances. Audiences were deeply moved by the opera's exploration of complex themes.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its deeply moving performances by Fleming, DiDonato, and O'Hara.
Kevin Puts' score was lauded as captivating and emotionally effective.
The production was noted for its intelligent and impactful staging.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'The Hours' at The Met was overwhelmingly positive, with many viewers expressing deep emotional engagement with the story and performances. The opera was frequently cited as a profound and beautifully crafted work.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording (2024).
Fun Fact
The opera's libretto was written by Greg Pierce, who worked closely with composer Kevin Puts and the original novel's author, Michael Cunningham, to adapt the story for the operatic stage.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources