Missouri Classical Music News

The Metropolitan Opera announced yesterday that it would begin broadcasting live performances into movie theaters across the United States, Canada and Europe, rubbing shoulders with professional wrestling and rock concerts.

The broadcasts are part of a strategy by the Met’s new general manager, Peter Gelb, to widen the house’s appeal by branching out into new media. The Met also said on Wednesday that it was opening its vast archive of historic radio broadcast performances for streaming and downloading. And it is pursuing deals to have more than 100 performances a season streamed live on the Internet and digital radio. . . .

National CineMedia said it would transmit live operas to about 25 major markets and recorded versions to 25 smaller markets. CineMedia and the Met will together choose the markets, but they could include Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Kansas City, Denver, Cleveland, Phoenix, Nashville and Las Vegas, the company said.