The Metropolitan Opera: I Puritani

A Glimpse into the Future: My Thoughts on The Met Opera's I Puritani (2026)

Stepping into the grand Metropolitan Opera House is always an experience, a real moment of anticipation before the curtain even rises. Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the much-talked-about 2026 revival of Vincenzo Bellini's exquisite I Puritani. For those of us who adore opera, especially the 'bel canto' style that really lets the singers shine with beautiful, flowing melodies and incredible vocal acrobatics, this production promised a real treat. And boy, did it deliver on many fronts! I walked out feeling swept away by the sheer beauty of the music and the powerful performances.

Story Overview

I Puritani (which means "The Puritans") takes us back to England in the mid-17th century, right in the thick of the English Civil War. It’s a classic tale of love caught between two opposing sides: the Royalists and the Puritans. Our heroine is Elvira, a young Puritan woman deeply in love with a Royalist, Lord Arturo Talbo. Her uncle, Giorgio, has arranged for her to marry the Puritan soldier Riccardo, but Elvira's heart belongs to Arturo.

The plot twists and turns with political intrigue, mistaken identities, and some seriously dramatic choices. Arturo, trying to save a captured Royalist queen, accidentally makes it look like he's abandoned Elvira at the altar. This betrayal is too much for Elvira, who descends into a heartbreaking state of madness, singing some of the most famous and beautiful, yet tragic, music in all of opera. Of course, it’s opera, so expect misunderstandings, declarations of love and duty, and a powerful, if sometimes bittersweet, resolution. It's a heavy story but told with music that is absolutely angelic.

Main Characters & Performances

The success of I Puritani hinges entirely on its lead singers, and the Met assembled a truly stellar cast for this run.

Luminara Fiore as Elvira was simply breathtaking. Her voice soared with an almost ethereal quality, hitting those impossibly high notes and complex vocal runs (called "coloratura") with an ease that made them sound effortless, even though you know they are incredibly difficult. What really struck me was how she portrayed Elvira's journey from joyous love to profound madness. Her "Mad Scene" was chillingly beautiful, drawing tears from many in the audience, including myself. You could truly feel Elvira's fragile mental state through every note and gesture.

Riccardo Solis as Lord Arturo was a perfect match. His tenor voice is wonderfully bright and powerful, especially in the higher register. He navigated Arturo's challenging music – including that notoriously high F at the end of "Credeasi, misera" – with impressive clarity and passion. He also brought a youthful ardour to Arturo, making his desperate love for Elvira totally believable. Their duets were electric, full of longing and despair.

Marco Rossi as Riccardo brought a commanding presence to the stage. His rich baritone voice was strong and resonant, perfectly conveying Riccardo's complex character – a man torn between duty, unrequited love for Elvira, and eventual compassion. He made Riccardo more than just a rival; he was a genuinely conflicted character, which added layers to the drama.

Stefan Petrov as Giorgio offered a warm, comforting presence as Elvira's uncle. His bass voice provided a solid, reassuring foundation, and he beautifully conveyed Giorgio's love and concern for his niece. The rest of the supporting cast and the magnificent Met Chorus were, as always, top-notch, adding to the rich tapestry of the soundscape.

What Works Well

First and foremost, the vocal performances were absolutely the highlight. This is an opera where the singers are the stars, and this cast delivered beyond expectation. It’s rare to hear I Puritani performed with such consistent excellence across all the principal roles.

The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Julian Thorne, played with exquisite sensitivity and power. They truly brought Bellini’s lush score to life, creating a vibrant backdrop for the voices without ever overpowering them. The chorus, too, was magnificent, filling the hall with glorious sound during their numbers.

Visually, the production by director Eleanor Vance was a beautiful balance of traditional and thoughtful innovation. The sets evoked the historical period with grandeur but didn’t feel stuffy. The lighting design was particularly effective, shifting subtly to mirror Elvira’s changing mental state, from bright hope to shadowed despair. The costumes were period-accurate and absolutely gorgeous, adding to the visual spectacle. It felt respectful of the opera's origins while still feeling fresh.

What Could Be Improved

While the production was largely fantastic, there were a couple of minor points. I Puritani is a bel canto opera, which means the focus is heavily on the singing and beautiful melodies. Sometimes, this can come at the expense of dramatic pacing. There were moments, particularly in the first act, where the dramatic momentum felt a little less urgent than the music suggested it could be. For those new to opera, these stretches might feel a tiny bit static without a stronger directorial hand pushing the narrative forward in every scene.

Also, a few of the set changes, while impressive in their scope, did take a moment or two longer than ideal, creating slight pauses that briefly broke the immersion. These are very minor quibbles in an otherwise splendid evening, but in a production of such high quality, even tiny details stand out.

Overall Entertainment Value

Despite those small observations, the overall entertainment value of this I Puritani production was incredibly high. It was a true feast for the ears and eyes. The sheer beauty of Bellini's music, brought to life by world-class singers and musicians, is something truly special. For opera lovers, especially those who appreciate the delicate artistry of bel canto, this is a must-see. For newcomers, while the plot can be a bit convoluted and the musical style might be different from what they expect, the sheer vocal beauty and the emotional power of Elvira's journey are undeniably captivating. You'll leave the theatre humming some of those glorious melodies, trust me!

Final Verdict

The Metropolitan Opera's 2026 production of I Puritani is a triumph of vocal artistry and beautiful staging. With Luminara Fiore and Riccardo Solis leading an exceptional cast, supported by the brilliant Met Orchestra and Chorus, it’s a deeply moving and musically sublime experience. If you have the opportunity to see it, I wholeheartedly recommend it. It's a wonderful reminder of the enduring power and beauty of opera, leaving you with a sense of awe and a heart full of melody. Don't miss this one!