Press Contacts: Harry Forbes, WNET 212-560-8027 or
[email protected] Eva Chien 212-870-4589 or
[email protected] Press materials: http://pressroom.pbs.org or http://www.thirteen.org/13pressroom Website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GreatPerformances Twitter: @GPerfPBS Joyce DiDonato and Juan Diego Flórez Star In Rossini's La Donna del Lago , the Met's First Production of the Bel Canto Showcase, on Great Performances at the Met Sunday, August 2 at 12 p.m. on PBS Joyce DiDonato and Juan Diego Flórez headline Rossini's bel canto tour-de-force La Donna del Lago on THIRTEEN’S Great Performances at the Met Sunday, August 2 at 12 p.m. on PBS. (Check local listings.) In this Rossini classic based on the work by Sir Walter Scott, DiDonato sings the title role of Elena, the lady of the lake pursued by two men, with Flórez in the role of Giacomo, the benevolent king of Scotland. Michele Mariotti , last featured in the Great Performance at the Met broadcast of Rigoletto , conducts debuting Scottish director Paul Curran's staging, a co-production with Santa Fe Opera. The cast also includes Daniela Barcellona in the trouser role of Malcolm, John Osborn as Rodrigo, and Oren Gradus as Duglas. "The wondrous Ms. DiDonato and Mr. Mariotti, the fast-rising young Italian conductor, seemed almost in competition to see who could make music with more delicacy,” noted The New York Times earlier this year, and “Mr. Mariotti drew hushed gentle and transparent playing from the inspired Met orchestra.” And NY Classical Review raved, "Joyce DiDonato…was beyond perfect..