Met Opera goes live around the world

New York's Metropolitan Opera House firmly believes it's the centre of the universe. From a London perspective, it's not, but it does boast most of the big stars, and supremo Peter Gelb seems to be modernising a creaking rep, phasing out a number of well-loved productions to groans from diehard traditionalists and making sure the new shows reach a large audience by virtue of the hugely popular HD live screenings.

So in cinemas all round the world, you'll be able to catch the start of visual genius Robert Lepage's Wagner Ring cycle, ushering out the hideous old Otto Schenk production with a new Das Rheingold on 9 October, followed by Die Walküre on 1 May 2011. The fun treat should be Rossini's Le Comte Ory with matinée idol Juan Diego Flórez and stylish trouper Joyce DiDonato (9 April 2011) and the Brits who seem to be loathed by inexplicably Anglophobic New York opera queens are in plentiful supply: don't miss Sarah Connolly's Clairon and Peter Rose's La Roche sparring with Renée Fleming's Countess in the John Cox production of Strauss's Capriccio (23 April 2011).

Otherwise there are some playsafe choices; expect the countless last-minute substitutions which have become a hallmark of superstar opera at the Met. Alas, they've seen fit not to screen the immortal Peter Sellars production of John Adams's Nixon in China - yet another opportunity lost for this masterpiece to make it to DVD.

The full Met press release has all the details.