Grounded at the Met: A Raw and Riveting Start to the 2024 Season

The Metropolitan Opera’s 2024 season opener, Grounded, offers a raw, intense experience that blends the harrowing realities of war with a deeply personal moral conflict. Composer Jeanine Tesori’s score, minimalist at times and fiercely urgent at others, mirrors the emotional turmoil of Jess, a fighter pilot turned drone operator, whose psychological unraveling takes center stage.

Picture courtesy: Metropolitan Opera

Emily D’Angelo as Jess delivers a tour de force performance. Her voice is powerful and fragile, capturing the depth of her character’s inner conflict. One moment she’s soaring with anger and defiance, the next, she whispers with quiet desperation. D’Angelo’s ability to maintain such emotional depth throughout the opera is truly remarkable, and her portrayal is one of the most compelling I’ve seen in recent seasons.

The other members of the cast also shines, with notable performances from tenor Ben Bliss, whose portrayal of the drone operator’s disillusioned counterpart adds complexity to the narrative, and Brenda Rae, whose haunting vocal work complements D’Angelo’s emotional journey. The chemistry between them was palpable, offering a necessary counterbalance to D’Angelo’s raw energy.

One of the most striking aspects of Grounded is its unapologetically blunt language. The frequent use of profanity, while jarring, actually enhances the opera’s sense of realism. It’s not gratuitous but feels authentic in the context of the characters’ harsh, morally fraught world. Rather than detracting from the experience, it underscores the gritty, no-holds-barred atmosphere of the opera.

The production itself was sleek and modern, with minimalist sets and striking projections. While some may see the occasional product placement as a bit on the nose, I found it to be an interesting artistic choice. It’s as if the opera is commenting on the commercialization of warfare, where everything, even violence, has become part of the corporate machine. It was a subtle, but effective, touch.

Under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the orchestra delivered an electrifying performance, perfectly complementing the raw emotion of the singers. Nézet-Séguin's attention to the finer details of Tesori's score, from the quiet moments of introspection to the intense climaxes, helped elevate the overall production. His nuanced conducting ensured that the music never overshadowed the drama but always served to amplify the emotional stakes of the opera. It's clear that his leadership was instrumental in creating such a powerful, cohesive experience.

Directed by Lyndsey Turner, Grounded is a thought-provoking, contemporary opera that challenges its audience without apology. Tesori’s score is as gripping as it is emotional, and the cast, especially D’Angelo, elevates this production to something unforgettable. If you’re looking for an opera that’s not afraid to tackle uncomfortable truths and push boundaries, Grounded is a must-see.