The Hours
A compelling new opera about three women in different times and places - and the spaces between them that both separate and connect them
Based on the book by Michael Cunningham and the Paramount Pictures film
Commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera and The Philadelphia Orchestra in collaboration with Improbable
Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Kevin Puts’s hit new opera, which played to sold-out audiences during its world-premiere production season, triumphantly returned. The original trio of legendary divas—sopranos Renée Fleming and Kelli O’Hara and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato—reprised their celebrated portrayals of three women from different eras whose lives are connected through Virginia Woolf’s novel Mrs. Dalloway.
Phelim McDermott’s directed this gripping staging of this heart-wrenching drama, adapted from Michael Cunningham’s acclaimed novel and the Oscar-winning film it inspired.
The Hours was shown internationally in cinemas live as part of The Met Live in HD in 2023.
Cast (on opening):
Clarissa Vaughan Renée Fleming
Sally Denyce Graves
Man Under The Arch / Hotel Clerk John Holiday
Walter Tony Stevenson
Virginia Woolf Joyce DiDonato
Leonard Woolf Sean Panikkar
Barbara / Mrs. Latch Kathleen Kim
Laura brown Kelli O’Hara
Dan brown Brandon Cedel
Richie Kai Edgar
Richard Kyle Ketelsen
Julian Atticus Ware
Quentin Patrick Scott McDermott
Angelica Lena Josephine Marano
Nelly Eve Gigliotti
Kitty / Vanessa Sylvia D’Eramo
Louis William Burden
Creative Team:
Production Phelim McDermott
Set and Costume Designer Tom Pye
Lighting Designer Bruno Poet
Projection Designer Finn Ross
Choreographer Annie-B Parson
Dramaturg Paul Cremo
Press and reviews:
“The Met proves that opera need not be afraid of Virginia Woolf” ★★★★ The Telegraph
“A Stunning Triumph” - Variety
“Phelim McDermott’s production is brilliant in how it takes the libretto’s structure, Puts’ musical interpretation, and then layers it with a similarly vast theatrical palette.” - Opera Wire
“Prima donnas and emotions soar” - New York Times
“It feels like trying something new” The Guardian
