‘Hamlet’

FRYEBURG — The Metropolitan Opera presents the final Live in HD simulcast of the 2021-22 season at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 4 at 1 p.m.

When Australian composer Brett Dean’s Hamlet had its world premiere at the Glyndebourne Festival in 2017, The Guardian declared, “New opera doesn’t often get to sound this good … Shakespeare offers a gauntlet to composers that shouldn’t always be picked up, but Dean’s Hamlet rises to the challenge.” On June 4, this riveting contemporary masterpiece appears live in cinemas, with Neil Armfield, who directed the work’s premiere, bringing his acclaimed staging to the Met stage. Many of the original cast members have followed, including tenor Allan Clayton in the title role. Nicholas Carter makes his Met debut conducting a remarkable ensemble, which also features soprano Brenda Rae as Ophelia, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly as Gertrude, baritone Rod Gilfry as Claudius, and John Relyea as the ghost of Hamlet’s father. This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to movie theaters across the globe.

Opera enthusiast Joe De Vito will be hosting his Opera Lecture Series on Thursday, June 2 at 3 p.m. in the LHE/PAC Seminar Room. The lectures, which are free and open to the public, are designed to prepare attendees for the upcoming Live in HD simulcast.

Live in HD tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $10 for students. Order online at www.fryeburgacademy.org/pac, or call the box office at 207-544-9066. The LHE/PAC is located on the campus of Fryeburg Academy at 18 Bradley Street in Fryeburg.