Louisa Proske Will Direct Macbeth at Metropolitan Opera
The director makes her Metropolitan Opera debut this week with a new production of the Verdi classic.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Opera
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Director Louisa Proske will make her Metropolitan Opera debut on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with a new staging of Verdi's Macbeth. The production features a stellar cast and marks the beginning of a ten-performance run at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
Why it matters
Proske, who previously led productions at Oper Halle in Germany, took on the project because it aligns with her artistic interests and passion for creative challenges. This high-profile debut highlights her transition from the experimental roots of Heartbeat Opera to one of the world's most prestigious stages.
The production is slated for 10 performances at the Metropolitan Opera House, with a live broadcast scheduled for the October 17 matinee. The staging utilizes a set featuring a revolving turntable inside a false proscenium.
The players
Louisa Proske
She is a director who co-founded Heartbeat Opera and spent four seasons working at Oper Halle in Germany.
Yannick Nezet-Seguin
He is the music director of the Metropolitan Opera who serves as the conductor for this performance.
Lise Davidsen
She is a celebrated soprano performing in the cast of this new production.
Quinn Kelsey
He is a baritone cast in the role of Macbeth for this production.
Ryan Speedo Green
He is a bass-baritone appearing as part of the production's principal cast.
The details
The production includes a lead cast of baritone Quinn Kelsey, soprano Lise Davidsen, tenor Freddie De Tommaso, and bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green. Yannick Nezet-Seguin will conduct the orchestra and chorus, while Proske collaborates with costume designer Montana Levi Blanco, set designer Jon Bausor, and choreographer Jorrell Lawyer-Jefferson.
Timeline
Proske co-founded Heartbeat Opera in 2014.
Proske departed from Heartbeat Opera in 2018.
The new production opens on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
A live matinee broadcast to movie theaters will occur on October 17, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This debut follows the Metropolitan Opera's tradition of recruiting directors with specialized backgrounds in smaller, experimental theaters to refresh its core repertoire. It reflects a broader trend of major houses prioritizing diverse directorial voices to reinvigorate classic operatic works.
Audiences in New York City can attend the production in person at the Metropolitan Opera House starting September 22. Those unable to attend in person can access the performance on October 17 through the live broadcast event in participating movie theaters.
The takeaway
The arrival of a new directorial voice signals the ongoing evolution of the Metropolitan Opera's visual approach to classic repertoire. Enthusiasts of Verdi should monitor the performance dates to secure tickets for this high-profile ten-show run.
What happens next
The production will feature a live broadcast of the Saturday matinee performance to movie theaters worldwide on October 17, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the current season at the house, visit the Opera archives.
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