Coming Attractions

I am just so impressed at what Peter Gelb is doing at the Met, such as reaching out to the public with high-definition simulcasts to movie theaters. Apparently, they are such a raving success, nearly every opera simulcast is being repeated in "Encore" showings.

"The First Emperor," composed by Tan Dun (of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" fame) and starring Placido Domingo, will be rebroadcast in two shows: 7 p.m. Wednesday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, at the Regal Hollwood Stadium 20, 2651 Fairfield Commons, in Beavercreek, Ohio 45431.

Although the opera was soundly panned by the New York Times and others, it has enjoyed the largest viewing audience (33,000) of all the simulcasts so far.

The Met has also just announced it hopes to bring the opera to China on its first China tour, timed to coincide with the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The director, Zhang Yimou, is also directing the opening and closing ceremonies for the Beijing Games.

Oh, and it looks like an Encore of "Barber of Seville" has just been added, for March 24.

Go to the Met's Web page and follow this link to buy movie tickets.