Fifth season of The New York Metropolitan Opera, live in HD

"The Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the world's largest and most prestigious opera house, is making its talent heard in South Africa, thanks to the massive strides in digital technology. This is evident from the attendance figures, which have grown over several seasons. Besides the Cinema Nouveau brand, we will now be taking these 'live' opera events to select Ster-Kinekor Theatres, nationwide, to allow a wider audience to experience the operatic singing and splendour that is associated with such productions," said Dr Raksha Singh, Ster-Kinekor's select and commercial manager.

The Metropolitan Opera is home to many of the most creative and talented artists, including singers, conductors, composers, orchestra musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers and dancers from around the world, and is known as "the venue" for the world's greatest voices.

Opening this season is Anna Bolena, composed by Gaetano Donizetti, with librettist Felice Romani. The opera is set in England in 1536 and tells a tragic story of love, friendship and betrayal. Queen Anne's star is sinking since King Henry VIII has fallen in love with another woman. When Anne learns that her lady-in-waiting, Jane, is in fact the king's new lover, she is devastated, leaving Jane guilt ridden. But the king, not willing to admit his true heart, insists that Anne is in fact being unfaithful herself, ultimately leading to the crumbling of their marriage and a web of lies and deceit taking over their lives. Anna Bolena opens exclusively at Cinema Nouveau and select Ster-Kinekor Theatres on 4 November.

The other operas to look forward to this season are:

• Don Giovanni, composed by Mozart: 18 November
  
• Siegfried, composed by Wagner: 25 November
  
• Satyagraha, composed by Glass: 9 December
  
• Rodelinda, composed by Handel: 23 December
  
• Faust, composed by Gounod: 6 January, 2012
  
• The Enchanted Island, composed by various: 10 February
  
• Götterdämmerung, composed by Wagner: 2 March
  
• Ernani, composed by Verdi: 16 March
  
• Manon, composed by Massenet: 27 April
  
• La Traviata, composed by Verdi: 4 May

They will be released at the following sites:

• Cinema Nouveau: Gateway
  
• Cinema Nouveau: Cavendish
  
• Cinema Nouveau: V&A
  
• Cinema Nouveau: Rosebank
  
• Cinema Nouveau: Brooklyn
  
• Ster-Kinekor: Irene Mall
  
• Ster-Kinekor: Shelly Beach
  
• Ster-Kinekor: The Bridge
  
• Ster-Kinekor: Vincent Park
  
• Ster-Kinekor: Somerset
  
• Ster-Kinekor: Bedford