TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 12, 2013) - (TSX:CGX) The world renowned Metropolitan Opera ("the Met") returns to Canadian movie theatres for an eighth season this fall, with The Met: Live in HD. 

With the 2013-14 season of The Met: Live in HD, Cineplex Entertainment's Front Row Centre Events brings its best-ever lineup of opera performances to the big screen, with crystal clear images and Dolby digital 5.1 surround sound. 

The season begins October 5, 2013, with a performance of Eugene Onegin.

"The Metropolitan Opera is back for its sensational eighth season in Canadian movie theatres - and we expect this season to delight our audiences even more with the return of Music Director James Levine and performances from today's biggest opera stars," said Brad LaDouceur, Vice President, Alternative Programming, Cineplex Entertainment. "With stunning close-up visuals and rich, enveloping sound - there's no better way to see the Metropolitan Opera than from the comfort of your local cinema." 

Tickets for the 2013-14 season of The Met: Live in HD are available to SCENE and qualified Met Opera members, beginning Wednesday, August 14, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. local time. The on-sale date for the general public is 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 2013.

Individual tickets are available at a participating theatre box office and online. Guests can also purchase the entire 2013-14 season online at discounted rates. Visit Cineplex.com/Events for more information, including a list of participating theatres and showtimes.

Discounted rates are available for groups of 20 or more. For information about group rates, please call 1-800-313-4461 or email CorporateSales@Cineplex.com.

The Met: Live in HD - 2013-14 Schedule

October 5, 2013 - Eugene Onegin (November 16, 18, 2013 encores)

Anna Netrebko and Mariusz Kwiecien star as the love-struck Tatiana and the imperious Onegin in Tchaikovsky's fateful romance. Deborah Warner's new production, directed by Fiona Shaw, is set in the late 19th century, with a powerful snowstorm providing the dramatic setting for the finale. Piotr Beczala is Lenski, Onegin's friend turned rival. Russian maestro Valery Gergiev conducts.

October 26, 2013 - The Nose (November 30, 2013 encore)

William Kentridge stormed the Met with his inventive production of Shostakovich's opera, which dazzled opera and art lovers alike in its inaugural run in 2010. Now Paulo Szot reprises his acclaimed performance of a bureaucrat whose satirical misadventures in search of his missing nose are based on Gogol's comic story. Pavel Smelkov conducts.

November 9, 2013 - Tosca (December 7, 16, 2013 encores)

Puccini's timeless verismo score is well served by an exceptional cast, led by Patricia Racette in the title role of the jealous diva, opposite Roberto Alagna as her lover, Cavaradossi. George Gagnidze is the villainous Scarpia.

December 14, 2013 - Falstaff (January 18, 20 and February 5, 2014 encores)

An undisputed master of Falstaff, Music Director James Levine conducts Verdi's opera for the first time at the Met since 2005. Robert Carsen's production-the first new Met Falstaff since 1964-is set in the English countryside in the mid-20th century. Ambrogio Maestri (last season's Dulcamara in the opening night production of L'Elisir d'Amore) sings the title role of the blustery Sir John Falstaff, opposite a marvelous ensemble that includes Angela Meade, Stephanie Blythe, Lisette Oropesa, and Franco Vassallo. Falstaff is a co-production of the Metropolitan Opera; Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Teatro alla Scala, Milan; the Canadian Opera Company, Toronto; and De Nederlandse Opera, Amsterdam.

February 8, 2014 - Rusalka (March 29 and 31, 2014 encores)

The great Renée Fleming returns to one of her signature roles, singing the enchanting "Song to the Moon" in Dvorák's soulful fairy-tale opera. Tenor Piotr Beczala co-stars as the Prince, Dolora Zajick is Ježibaba, and dynamic young maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin is on the podium.

March 1, 2014 - Prince Igor (April 12 and 14, 2014 encores)

Borodin's defining Russian epic, famous for its Polovtsian dances, comes to the Met for the first time in nearly 100 years. Dmitri Tcherniakov's new production is a brilliant psychological journey through the mind of its conflicted hero, with the founding of the Russian nation as the backdrop. Star bass-baritone Ildar Abdrazakov takes on the monumental title role, with Gianandrea Noseda conducting.

March 15, 2014 - Werther (May 24, 26, 2014 encores)

Jonas Kaufmann stars in the title role of Massenet's sublime adaptation of Goethe's revolutionary and tragic romance, opposite Sophie Koch as Charlotte. The new production is directed and designed by Richard Eyre and Rob Howell, the same team that created the Met's recent hit staging of Carmen. Rising maestro Alain Altinoglu conducts.

April 5, 2014 - La Bohème (June 7, 9 and 18, 2014 encores)

Puccini's moving story of young love is the most performed opera in Met history-and with good reason. Anita Hartig stars as the frail Mimì in Franco Zeffirelli's classic production, with Vittorio Grigolo as her passionate lover, Rodolfo.

April 26, 2014 - Così fan tutte (June 21 and 23, 2014 encores)

Music Director James Levine conducts Mozart's beloved opera about testing the ties of love. The cast is filled with youthful Met stars: Susanna Phillips and Isabel Leonard are the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella, Matthew Polenzani and Rodion Pogossov are their lovers, with Danielle de Niese as the clever Despina.

May 10, 2014 - La Cenerentola (July 5, 7 and 16, 2014 encores)

A peerless pair of Rossini virtuosos joins forces in La Cenerentola-a vocal tour de force for mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, singing her first Met performances of the Cinderella title role, and the high-flying tenor Juan Diego Flórez, as her Prince Charming. Alessandro Corbelli and Luca Pisaroni complete the cast, with Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leading the effervescent score.

About Front Row Centre Events (FRCE)

Brought to you by Cineplex Entertainment, Front Row Centre Events bring world class entertainment to your local Cineplex Entertainment theatre and other participating locations. Presented in high-definition with digital surround sound, guests can experience the best in original one-night only and series-based programming. With the Metropolitan Opera's Live in HD series, Broadway productions, live broadcasts direct from the stage of London's National Theatre, Bolshoi Ballet performances, classic films, concerts, live sporting events and documentaries, Front Row Centre Events put you in the centre of the action on the big screen.

About Cineplex Entertainment:

Cineplex Inc. ("Cineplex") is one of Canada's leading entertainment companies and operates one of the most modern and fully digitized motion picture theatre circuits in the world. A top-tier Canadian brand, Cineplex operates numerous businesses including theatrical exhibition, food services, gaming, alternative programming (Front Row Centre Events), Cineplex Media, Cineplex Digital Solutions and the online sale of home entertainment content through CineplexStore.com and on apps embedded in various electronic devices. Cineplex is also a joint venture partner in SCENE - Canada's largest entertainment loyalty program.

Cineplex is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, and operates 136 theatres with 1,454 screens from British Columbia to Quebec, serving approximately 71 million guests annually through the following theatre brands: Cineplex Odeon, SilverCity, Galaxy Cinemas, Colossus, Coliseum, Scotiabank Theatres, Cineplex Cinemas, Cineplex VIP Cinemas, Famous Players and Cinema City. Cineplex also owns and operates the UltraAVX, Poptopia, and Outtakes brands. Cineplex trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CGX. More information is available at cineplex.com.