Thomas Adè’s The Exterminating Angel, Live in HD

This fall, Grinnell College will stream three Metropolitan operas as part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD movie theater transmissions program. Bellini's Norma opened the series on Oct. 7, followed by Mozart's Die Zauberflöte on Oct. 17 and Thomas Adè’s The Exterminating Angel on Nov. 18. The series will continue in the spring.

Thomas Adè’s The Exterminating Angel, 

Grinnell College will stream Thomas Adès' adventurous new opera, The Exterminating Angel, on Saturday, Nov. 18, as part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD movie theater transmissions program. The opera will start at noon in the Harris Center Cinema, 1114 10th Ave., Grinnell. John Rommereim, Blanche Johnson Professor of Music, will give the opera talk at 11:30 a.m.

Inspired by the classic Luis Buñuel film of the same name, The Extermintaing Angel is about a post-opera dinner party from which guests cannot summon the will to escape, even after the food and water are gone. Tom Cairns, who wrote the libretto, directs the new production, and Adès conducts his own opera.

“If you go to a single production this season, make it this one,” Anthony Tommasini wrote in his New York Times review of the opera's premiere.

"The opera has discomforting timeliness at a time when many Americans feel trapped in partisan battles over elites, economic justice and borders; yet the will to change things is somehow lacking," Tommasini added. "The willpower of the ruling classes, or lack thereof, has become an especially pressing topic in Washington, as elected officials debate how forcefully to stand up to President Trump on policy and governing."

About the Broadcasts

Refreshments will be available for sale in the lobby of the cinema before each opera and during intermission.
 
Tickets are available at the Pioneer Bookshop and at the door on the day of the show. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, children, and Met Opera members.
 
The Office of the President has generously funded tickets for Grinnell College faculty, staff, and students, and tickets are available for free at all locations. Family members not employed by the college are required to purchase tickets.