Massenet: Thaïs

Overview

When the most voluptuous, sought-after courtesan in the world meets an ascetic monk whose life is devoted to God, you know erotic sparks are going to fly. And when the clash takes place in a glorious, but rarely performed, opera by Massenet, it’s a delight to the ear just as much as to the eye. Renée Fleming is every inch the glamorous Thaïs, swathed in elegant gowns designed by Christian Lacroix. Thomas Hampson is Athanaël, the tortured man of God. This production by John Cox, which premiered in December 2008, brilliantly sets the stage for a confrontation as old as civilization itself.

Details

Cast

Renée Fleming

Thaïs

Thomas Hampson

Athanaël

Michael Schade

Nicias

Alain Vernhes

Palémon

Alyson Cambridge

Crobyle

Ginger Costa-Jackson

Myrtale

Maria Zifchak

Albine

Trevor Scheunemann

Guard

Daniel Clark Smith

Cenobite Monk

Roger Andrews

Cenobite Monk

Kurt Phinney

Cenobite Monk

Richard Pearson

Cenobite Monk

Craig Montgomery

Cenobite Monk

Leah Partridge

La charmeuse

Zahra Hashemian

Solo dancer

David Chan

Self - Violin soloist

Jesús López-Cobos

Self - Conductor

Plácido Domingo

Self - Host

MET Orchestra