COMTE ORY, LE

"With a brilliant cast of bel canto specialists in key roles, the production is a rare feast for the ear."

ABC News

Set during the time of the 13th century crusades, "Le Comte Ory" is a vocally dazzling bel canto comedy based on the story of a real-life Don Juan. All the men have gone off to fight, leaving the field free for the marauding count. The Met premiere production of this buoyant, witty piece stars bel canto sensation Juan Diego Flórez in the title role. Just a few minutes after delivering his baby, he vies on stage with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, in the trouser role of Ory’s page Isolier, for the love of the lonely Countess Adèle, sung by soprano Diana Damrau. Bartlett Sher, director of the Met’s hit productions of The Barber of Seville and The Tales of Hoffmann, describes the world of the opera as, "a place where love is dangerous. People get hurt. That can be very funny and very painful. Rossini captures both – with the most beautiful love music Rossini ever wrote."