The Metropolitan Opera is preparing the October 19 world premiere of Lincoln in the Bardo, a new opera by composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek based on George Saunders’s novel. The Met says Mazzoli will be the first woman composer to have a world premiere at the house.
Lileana Blain-Cruz directs, with Yannick Nézet-Séguin scheduled to conduct the opening performance. Peter Mattei plays Abraham Lincoln; the announced cast also includes Stephanie Blythe, Janai Brugger, Christine Goerke, Anthony Roth Costanzo and Ryan McKinny.
The story places Lincoln in a cemetery after the death of his son Willie, among spirits whose stories intersect with his grief. The Met lists eight further performances through November 14. This is an advance notice of tomorrow’s opening, not a review or a report that the premiere has already happened.