It looks as if the Metropolitan Opera’s first live high-definition simulcasts into movie theaters are as much of a success in suburban Chicago venues as they are proving to be nationally and worldwide.
The first opera in the six-opera series, Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” drew 91 percent of capacity throughout the United States on Dec. 30, when it was beamed into 60 venues across the country, including theaters in suburban Lincolnshire and Woodridge, according to Met spokeswoman Sommer Hixson.
A theater in the Regal Lincolnshire 20 multiplex, which seats 350, was sold out for the live Mozart simulcast, she said.
Hixson also reported strong attendance at the Cinemark Woodridge, where all 155 seats sold out for “Flute.” The theater screened Bellini’s “I Puritani” in two of its theaters Jan. 6, and each came close to selling out, she said.
The only other area movie theater carrying the simulcasts is the Regal Showplace 16 in Crystal Lake, which reported no attendance figure for “Puritani,” the first of the Met series it has screened.
The Met said the total U.S. viewership for the live transmission of “Magic Flute” was about 14,500. An additional 15,500 people saw and heard the Mozart simulcast outside the U.S., including theater-goers in Canada, Britain and Japan.
While the numbers are minuscule compared to commercial films, the Met hopes to open opera to new audiences once more theaters buy into the broadcasts.
The simulcasts also are being carried on the Met’s Sirius Satellite Radio channel and are being streamed through the Met’s Web site. After the HD Met screenings, PBS will televise the performances within the year.
Much to the chagrin of local opera buffs, no movie theaters in the Chicago metropolitan area are broadcasting the operas. They require theaters outfitted with HD satellite technology to carry them.
The series continues Saturday with the world-premiere simulcast of a new opera, Tan Dun’s “The First Emperor.”
Three more operas will be screened in theaters monthly, through April 28.
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The Personals page was compiled by Kim Profant from Tribune news services and staff reports.
