HAMLET

Tenor Allan Clayton stars as Shakespeare’s Danish prince in an electrifying staging by Neil Armfield

The Metropolitan Opera presents the North American premiere of Australian composer Brett Dean’s HAMLET, a bold adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless drama. Tenor Allan Clayton, who originated the title role at the Glyndebourne Festival in England, made a sensational Met debut with his acclaimed portrayal. Distilling the action of the play to 12 scenes, Dean and librettist Matthew Jocelyn have created a taut, dramatically effective opera, presented in an electrifying staging by noted Australian director Neil Armfield. Maestro Nicholas Carter makes his company debut conducting a stellar ensemble cast that also stars soprano Brenda Rae as Ophelia, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly as Gertrude, baritone Rod Gilfry as Claudius, and bass-baritone John Relyea as the ghost of Hamlet’s father and the Gravedigger. 

“Enthralling … Riveting … Marvelous … A formidable cast … A superior work … This Hamlet hits deep in the bones and the gut.” - Financial Times

“CRITIC’S PICK … Innovative, elegant and passionate—a hit … Dazzling musically … 

Exhilarating production … The whole vast company is strong … Moving and riveting … Great art.” - The New York Times