Two-time Tony Award–winning composer Jeanine Tesori’s new opera, Grounded is commissioned by the Met and based on librettist George Brant’s play. Mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo headlines in the tour-de-force role of Jess, a hot-shot fighter pilot whose unplanned pregnancy takes her out of the cockpit and lands her in Las Vegas, operating a Reaper drone halfway around the world. As she adjusts to this new way of doing battle, she struggles under the pressure to be the perfect soldier, wife, and mother all at the same time. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium, leading a cast that also features tenor Ben Bliss as the Wyoming rancher who sweeps Jess off her feet.
Following Great Performances at the Met: Grounded in primetime is the Met’s new production of Aida starring Angel Blue as Aida, the Ethiopian princess torn between love and country. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium of Michael Mayer’s staging, featuring intricate projections of ancient Egypt and animations. Aida premieres Friday, June 13 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings). These operas are part of season 19 of Great Performances at the Met premiering March through October.
Cast:
Emily D’ Angelo – Jess
Ben Bliss – Eric
Kyle Miller – Sensor
Greer Grimsley – Commander
Earle Patriarco – Bar Pilot
Lucy LoBue – Sam
Creative:
Nadine Sierra – Host
Gary Halvorson – Director
Yannick Nézet-Séguin – Conductor
Michael Mayer – Production
Mimi Lien – Set Designer
Tom Broecker – Costume Designer
Kevin Adams – Lighting Designer
Jason H. Thompson and Kaitlyn Pietras – Co-Projection Designers
David Neumann – Choreographer
David Frost – Music Producer
Mia Bongiovanni – Supervising Producer
Louisa Briccetti and Victoria Warivonchik – Producers
Matt Dobkin and Merrin Lazyan – Creative Content Producers
George Brant – Libretto, based on the play with the same name
