Margaret Juntwait (Copyright © Beth Bergman)

Since 1940, the broadcasts have also been heard in Canada, and in 1990 they expanded to include regular transmission to Europe. Today worldwide coverage has grown to include not only more than 30 European countries, but also South America, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Through these international broadcasts, the Metropolitan Opera serves as a cultural ambassador to the world.

The 81st season kicks off Dec. 3, 2011, with Handel’s Rodelinda, starring Renée Fleming, Stephanie Blythe and Andreas Scholl. Twenty-three broadcasts will be presented on the Toll Brothers–Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network through May 5, 2012. Margaret Juntwait returns as the series’ host for her eighth season, joined by commentator Ira Siff.

Listeners can visit www.operainfo.org for a wealth of information about the Met broadcasts, including synopses and casting information, as well as background information about operas, performers and conductors. Resources also include curriculum materials for teachers. For details about all Met performances this season, as well as ticket information, visit the Met’s website at www.metopera.org.

2011-2012 Broadcast Season Schedule

Dec. 3: Handel's Rodelinda.
Dec. 10: Gounod's Faust.
Dec. 17: Puccini's Madama Butterfly.
Dec. 24: Donizetti's La Fille du Regiment.
Dec. 31: Archival Broadcast: Strauss's Die Fledermaus (Jan. 20, 1951).
Jan. 7: Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel.
Jan. 14: Archival Broadcast: Bellini's Norma (April 4, 1970).
Jan. 21: The Enchanted Island (Handel, Rameau, Vivaldi and others).
Jan. 28: Puccini's Tosca.
Feb. 4: Donizetti's Anna Bolena.
Feb. 11: Wagner's Götterdämmerung.
Feb. 18: Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia.
Feb. 25: Verdi's Ernani.
March 3: Verdi's Aida.
March 10: Mozart's Don Giovanni.
March 17: Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina.
March 24: Verdi's Macbeth.
March 31: Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore.
April 7: Massenet's Manon.
April 14: Verdi's La Traviata.
April 21: Wagner's Siegfried.
April 28: Wagner's Die Walküre.
May 5: Janácek's The Makropulos Case.

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