However, the series has been slow in pulling in the younger crowd for which it was intended.

“Live in HD” has already made an impression in Ann Arbor, where both Quality 16 and Rave Motion Pictures (formerly Showcase Cinemas) present regularly sold-out performances of the Met simulcasts. In addition, “Live in HD” viewers have a chance to see backstage footage and interviews during the shows’ intermissions. The broadcasts are also technologically captivating, thanks to pristine Dolby Digital sound quality and advanced cinematography - they make use of cinematic cuts and close-ups that give audiences a front-row view of productions. The “Live in HD” broadcasts feature attractive stars in captivating new stagings by today’s leading directors. Indeed, it seems the days of frumpy singers and bland productions are over. The Met’s website makes Gelb’s mission clear: “Live in HD is for everyone.”

The series is the brainchild of the Met’s general manager, Peter Gelb, who wanted to reach a wider audience by giving opera a more modern and accessible look.

Metropolitan opera hdtv broadcasts