Whoa!

This all sounds right to me — astonishingly and spectacularly right.

[Beginning 30 December this year, the Metropolitan Opera will produce in high definition for live audio and visual distribution into several hundred movie theaters around the world six Saturday matinees. They are:] the new English-language adaptation of Julie Taymor’s Magic Flute, conducted by James Levine, on December 30; I Puritani starring Anna Netrebko on January 6; the world premiere production of Tan Dun’s The First Emperor with Plácido Domingo in the title role on January 13; Eugene Onegin with Renée Fleming and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, conducted by Valery Gergiev, on February 24; the new production of The Barber of Seville with Juan Diego Flórez on March 24; and the new production of Il Trittico, conducted by Maestro Levine and directed by Jack O’Brien, on April 28.

[...]

Following thirty-day windows, the productions will be presented on PBS by Thirteen/WNET in the United States, beginning in January 2007, and on different television systems in other countries. PBS is co-producing the six programs, which will be broadcast on its terrestrial stations as well as on its recently introduced high-definition service. “This is an important first step in expanding PBS’ commitment to cultural programming and building on PBS’ role as television’s leader in the arts,” said Paula A. Kerger, PBS president and CEO. “In partnership with the Metropolitan Opera and Thirteen/WNET, the leading producer of culture and arts programming for PBS, we’re proud to introduce new audiences to these outstanding productions.”

The Met will present live streaming of opera performances on its website with support from RealNetworks®, the leading creator of digital media services. In the coming months, Real will also make the Met’s extensive library of radio archive broadcasts available through its award-winning Rhapsody® online music service. Streaming of Met operas is anticipated to begin with the start of the 2006-07 season.

The Met also plans to enter into agreements with other companies for the distribution of digital downloads, video on demand, digital radio, opera ring-tones, standard CDs and DVDs, and instant CDs that will be available following selected performances – all of which will now be possible with the new union agreements.

There's more.

RTWT here.