Metropolitan Opera to Premiere 'Lincoln in the Bardo' Adaptation

The Metropolitan Opera will premiere an operatic adaptation of George Saunders’s 2017 novel, 'Lincoln in the Bardo,' on October 19. This production, featuring music by Missy Mazzoli, marks the first world premiere by a female composer at the Met since its founding in 1883. The opera is set in a spiritual plane where souls are caught between life and the afterlife, focusing on Lincoln’s son, Willie, who died at the age of eleven. The set design includes a depiction of Oak Hill Cemetery, where Willie was temporarily interred. Director Lileana Blain-Cruz stated, 'We wanted to keep the lines blurry' between reality and the void. The opera will feature various ghostly characters, with costumes reflecting their deaths. The adaptation includes a significant visual element, with a thirty-foot firework representing Willie’s soul crossing into the beyond. The opera is part of the Met’s celebration of the United States' 250th birthday, with performances scheduled through November 14. Blain-Cruz expressed hope that the production would remind audiences of the importance of love and dignity amidst historical struggles. Additionally, the article discusses other cultural events, including a film series at the Roxy Cinema, a reunion concert by the band Animal Collective, and performances by Indian classical dance ensembles. The article concludes with a mention of the New York Liberty's playoff run in the WNBA and the atmosphere at a local sports bar during a game.