Metropolitan Opera Productions Screening At East Hampton’s Main Beach

While the lights are still dim and the curtains will remain closed on the Metropolitan Opera’s enchanting performances until at least September 2021, Guild Hall and HamptonsFilm have partnered to present a selection of encore titles from previous Live in HD transmissions. The drive-in screenings will have a spectacular backdrop, Main Beach in East Hampton, thanks to special permission from East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen and the Village Trustees.

“After last summer and the October festival’s successful drive-ins, we jumped at the chance to partner with Guild Hall to present such a unique and exciting drive-in experience utilizing our full compliment of drive-in equipment,” said Anne Chaisson, Executive Director of HamptonsFilm. “We know how much we all want to be in theaters, and this is our way of continuing to showcase incredible art during the waning days of quarantine.”

Met Under Moonlight will feature Carmen on Saturday, April 3, Madama Butterfly on Saturday, April 17, and Porgy & Bess on Saturday, May 1.

“There’s moonlight in the world, and there is magic. What better way to celebrate both and the arrival of spring than with some of the greatest music ever written? Bizet, Puccini, Gershwin – and how fun to see and hear it all from the comfort of your four wheels,” expressed Josh Gladstone, Artistic Director, the John Drew Theater. “When was the last time you went to a drive-in movie? When was the last time you went to the beach to see a drive-in opera? Guild Hall and HamptonsFilm bring the beauty to you with Met Under Moonlight.”

Opera fans can also get a glimpse of life as an opera star during Bel Canto Boot Camp’s (BCBC) trio of pre-opera Behind the Screen virtual programs on Thursday, April 1, Thursday, April 15, and Thursday, April 29. Presented in collaboration with Guild Hall, during the interactive sessions BCBC co-founders Rachelle Jonck and Derrick Goff will welcome emerging singers for a chat about preparing, practicing, and performing on the Met Stage – and treat the audience to a performance. The evenings will also feature Steven Tharp, tenor and presenter of BCBC’s Audiophile Society, who will present his favorite Met recordings in BCBC’s interactive Zoom format. Behind the Screen begins at 6:00 p.m.

“Guild Hall and Bel Canto Boot Camp have quickly become strong collaborators. We share a common objective of breaking down barriers between artist/patron or performer/audience member, and a true passion for supporting emerging artists – evident in this program,” noted Anthony Madonna, Patti Kenner Senior Associate for Learning & Public Engagement. “Over three Thursday evenings we will learn the preparation and thrill that comes from performing on the Metropolitan stage as each singer reflects on their experience in the corresponding Met Live in HD screening as part of the Met Under Moonlight series.”

Met Under Moonlight commences at 7:30 p.m. Viewings are weather dependent and admission is $80 per car.

Main Beach is located at 104 Ocean Avenue in East Hampton. For more information, visit www.guildhall.org.