NCM Fathom & The Met Present 2nd Chance to See Live in HD Cinema Events

Beginning June 15, the Met and NCM Fathom will once again present Summer HD Encores, a series of encore performances from the groundbreaking Live in HD series, in more than 400 select movie theaters nationwide through NCM's exclusive Digital Broadcast Network. This summer's encore series offers six classic Live in HD events: Puccini's Madama Butterfly (June 15), Donizetti's Don Pasquale (June 22), Verdi's Simon Boccanegra (June 29), Donizetti's La Fille du Régiment (July 13), Puccini's Tosca (July 20), and Verdi's Don Carlo (July 27).

"The Summer Encores series have become a very popular entertainment choice and gives millions of opera fans the opportunity to experience the world-class productions of the Metropolitan Opera, all from the comfort of their local hometown theater"

Tickets for The Met: Live in HD 2011 Summer Encores-shown in theaters on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in all time zones-are available at www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices.

Since 2006, NCM Fathom and the Metropolitan Opera have partnered to bring classic live operatic performances to movie screens across America with The Met: Live in HD series. The first Live in HD event was seen in 56 theaters in December 2006. Fathom has since expanded its participating theater footprint, which now reaches more than 600 movie theaters in the United States.

"The Summer Encores series have become a very popular entertainment choice and gives millions of opera fans the opportunity to experience the world-class productions of the Metropolitan Opera, all from the comfort of their local hometown theater," said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom.

The Met: Live in HD 2011 Summer Encores Schedule:

Madama Butterfly - Wednesday, June 15

Academy Award-winning film director Anthony Minghella's critically acclaimed production of Puccini's classic opera stars the gifted singing actress Patricia Racette in the title role. Marcello Giordani is her lover, the callous Pinkerton, and DWayne Croft sings the role of Sharpless. Patrick Summers conducts.

Don Pasquale - Wednesday, June 22

Superstar soprano Anna Netrebko is Norina, the irresistible and clever romantic heroine of Donizetti's comic opera, who conspires with Dr. Malatesta (Mariusz Kwiecien) to teach a middle-aged miser (John Del Carlo) an unforgettable lesson about love and marriage. Matthew Polenzani sings the role of Ernesto, Norina's love, and James Levine conducts one of his first-ever performances of this opera.

Simon Boccanegra - Wednesday, June 29

Four decades into his legendary Met career, Plácido Domingo made history by singing the baritone title role of Verdi's Simon Boccanegra, conducted by James Levine. Adrianne Pieczonka sings the role of Boccanegra's long-lost daughter Amelia, with Marcello Giordani as her lover Gabriele Adorno and James Morris as Fiesco, Boccanegra's nemesis.

La Fille du Regiment - Wednesday, July 13

Natalie Dessay is the title tomboy in Donizetti's comedy, with Juan Diego Flórez as Tonio, the soldier who is willing to go to great lengths-and sing 9 high C's-to win her love. The sparkling supporting cast includes Felicity Palmer as the Marquise of Berkenfield, Alessandro Corbelli as Sulpice, and the great stage actress Marian Seldes, in her Met debut, as the Duchess of Krakenthorp. Marco Armiliato conducts.

Tosca - Wednesday, July 20

Karita Mattila lives for art and love as the passionate title character of Puccini's opera. Luc Bondy's production co-stars Marcelo Álvarez as the painter and revolutionary Cavaradossi and George Gagnidze as the corrupt villain Scarpia. Joseph Colaneri conducts.

Don Carlo - Wednesday, July 27

Tony Award-winning director Nicholas Hytner made his Met debut with this new production of Verdi's monumental grand opera. Roberto Alagna is the conflicted title character, joined by an exceptional cast that includes Marina Poplavskaya as Elisabeth de Valois, Anna Smirnova as Princess Eboli, Simon Keenlyside as Rodrigo, and Ferruccio Furlanetto as King Philip II. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts.