Ep 4. Great Performances at the Met: Hamlet

Great Performances celebrates its 50th season with an exceptional production that showcases the Metropolitan Opera's grandeur. The fourth episode of this prodigious season is a fantastic rendition of Shakespeare's masterpiece - Hamlet.

Great Performances at the Met: Hamlet features an outstanding cast that includes Simon Keenlyside, Marlis Petersen, and Jennifer Larmore. Simon Keenlyside glides through the complex character of Hamlet with amazing ease and grace. His performance is packed with emotion, and he embodies the role of the tortured prince with great conviction.

Alongside him, Marlis Petersen's portrayal of Ophelia, Hamlet's beloved, is touching and yet, petrifying. Her sorrowful eyes and haunting voice bring out the intensity of her character's despair. Jennifer Larmore, as Gertrude, the Queen of Denmark, is both alluring and complex. Her subtlety in conveying complex emotions is impressive, and she holds her own against the outstanding performances of the other actors.

The director, Patrice Caurier, and Moshe Leiser, have created a visually stunning production that complements the majestic soundtrack. The sets, costumes, and lighting blend to create a haunting atmosphere that seems to draw the audience into the heart of the story. It's a beautiful balance of expression and aesthetics that treats the viewer to a breathtaking experience.

The music for Great Performances at the Met: Hamlet is by composer Ambroise Thomas. The opera is sung in French rather than English, which provides a fresh take on Shakespeare's classic play. The score is intense, exhilarating, and invokes intense emotion. Keenlyside's powerful vocals express every nuance and emotion of the prince's turmoil.

Overall, Great Performances at the Met: Hamlet is a majestic and incredibly immersive production. From start to finish, it immerses the viewer in the world of the play, creating a spellbinding experience that is hard to forget. Simon Keenlyside and the rest of the cast deliver an exceptional performance, combining with the visuals and music to create a visually stunning and emotionally powerful production. Season 50 of Great Performances is shaping up to be one of the best yet, and Hamlet is a standout highlight amongst them.