Although my first season as the Met's general manager has only just come to a close, I'm looking forward to next season's lineup of new productions and revivals. Music Director James Levine and I recently
announced our plans, which will feature seven new productions — the most since the Met's 1966-67 inaugural season at Lincoln Center. The increase in new stagings will help keep the Met's repertoire fresh and appealing, while also attracting leading directors and the top star singers.
In these pages you'll catch glimpses of what to expect from the new season, from images of Natalie Dessay's fragile Lucia di Lammermoor in Mary Zimmerman's new production, to Alice Coote and Christine Sch‹fer as a mischievous Hansel and Gretel in Richard Jones's staging.
These photographic sneak peeks at the new productions of 2007-08 should whet your appetite for what is to come. I can't wait for the operas themselves to take the Met stage next season. — Peter Gelb