The Marion Ross Performing Arts Center is excited to bring the live transmissions of the New York Metropolitan Opera to Albert Lea for the third season. This year there are 10 exciting operas.

The Scots are coming with the first opera, Verdi’s “Macbeth.” The first opera begins 11:55 a.m. Saturday.

Verdi brings to life the story of the mad and murderous Lady Macbeth, the doomed Macbeth, the witches, Macduff and Banquo. This masterful adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy stars Ann Netrebko in her first appearance as Lady Macbeth and Zeljko Lucic as the doomed Macbeth.

This production of Macbeth places the action of the opera in a nonspecific post-World War II Scotland. This is not the mythic land popular among Romantic artists but a barbarous place in a constant state of warfare with only the slightest hint of civility.

A special season opening kickoff is planned complete with the Macbeths, Scottish plaid, apple cider and Scottish shortbread. Wear your favorite Scottish colors and enjoy this great production.

Again this year, “Meet the Met” will gather at Prairie Wind Coffee at 12:15 p.m. the Friday prior to each Saturday opera to discuss the opera, synopsis and opera stars. There will be a shortened version of “Meet the Met” a half hour prior to the opera in the green room at the Ross Center for people unable to attend the Friday opera group.

Before the movies and before Broadway, the opera was the working man’s entertainment. Opera is enjoyed by all; there is no dress code so you can come in your ball gowns and tuxes or blue jeans.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students up to the age of 30. Offered this year is a five opera flex ticket for $90, a savings of 10 percent off of the adult ticket price. You may select five different operas, select one opera and bring five friends, or anything in between.

Tickets may be purchased through albertleacivicmusic.com or actonbroadway.com. There are a limited number of free student tickets available at the box office. You must show your student ID. The box office is open on Thursday afternoons 4 to 6 p.m. and one hour prior to the opera.

The Met: Live in HD series is made possible by a generous grant from its founding sponsor, The Neubauer Family Foundation. Global corporate sponsorship of The Met: Live in HD is provided by Bloomberg.

Friday

• The 19th annual Rotary Rose Sale will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hy-Vee parking lot, 2708 Bridge Ave. Roses are $20 a dozen. Proceeds go toward Rotary scholarships and other community projects.

• The Lil’ Monsters event will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at City Arena Conference Room No. 1, 701 Lake Chapeau Drive. Preschoolers through first-graders are welcome to come with their parents to decorate pumpkins, crafts and cookies. Cost is $8 and snacks are provided.

• The Grace Lutheran Church 38th annual Salad Luncheon will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 918 Garfield Ave. There will be pulled pork and a selection of salads. Cost is $8 per person.

• Watch Albert Lea Community Theatre’s production of “The Haunting at Hill House” at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15 and available at the box office, Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau or on www.actonbroadway.com.

 

Saturday

• Find some produce, baked goods and more at the Albert Lea Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to noon at the Northbridge Mall parking lot.

• The Blessing of the Animals will be from 9 to 10 a.m. at Central Park. Pets and owners are invited to come have their pets blessed. This event is sponsored by Choose Civility Freeborn County.

• The Freeborn County Historical Museum will host a lecture on the golden age of radio from 9 to 10 a.m. Cost is free for museum members and $5 for nonmembers.

• The 19th annual Rotary Rose Sale will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hy-Vee parking lot, 2708 Bridge Ave. Roses are $20 a dozen. Proceeds go toward Rotary scholarships and other community projects.

• Brush up on etiquette do’s and don’ts with Victorian tea from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Freeborn County Historical Museum. The program is presented by staff from the Alexander Ramsey House in St. Paul.

• The Bolan Schoolhouse and Cultural Center on Tulip Lane in Bolan, rural Kensett, will host Pancakes and Pumpkins from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy pancakes and picking a pumpkin. Donations are accepted.

• First Lutheran Church in Glenville, 140 Third Ave S.W., Glenville, will host a hot dish salad luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations will be accepted. Proceeds will go toward the church’s kitchen remodeling.

• The Fire Department will have an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. at the fire station, 221 E. Clark St. Firefighters will teach kids about fire trucks and fire safety.

• The Alden American Legion, 151 N. Broadway, Alden, will host a steak fry from 5 to 8 p.m. Ten ounce ribeyes, baked potatoes, coleslaw and garlic toast will be served. Cost is $13.

• Enjoy an evening with Elvis from 7 to 9 p.m. at America’s Best Value Inn, 2306 E. Main St. Tickets are available at America’s Best Value Inn and the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau. Tickets are $39.99 for dinner and the show, $75 for dinner and the show for two and $20 for the show only.

• Watch Albert Lea Community Theatre’s production of “The Haunting at Hill House” at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15 and available at the box office, Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau or on www.actonbroadway.com.

 

Sunday

• Enjoy Sunday breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Albert Lea American Legion, 142 N. Broadway. Pancakes, sausages, potatoes, scrambled eggs with or without ham, fruit cups, juice, milk and coffee will be served. Cost is $7.

• Watch Albert Lea Community Theatre’s production of “The Haunting at Hill House” at 2 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15 and available at the box office, Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau or on www.actonbroadway.com.

• The Southeastern Minnesota Chamber Orchestra Fall Pops Concert will begin at 3 p.m. at the Albert Lea High School auditorium. The concert will feature Brian Koser on saxophone and Pam Koser on soprano, both from Austin. The orchestra will play selections from popular musicals. Tickets are available from any SEMNCO member or the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau. Tickets $10 for adults and $8 for seniors; add $2 if purchasing at the door.

• The Zion Lutheran Oktoberfest fundraiser will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 924 Bridge Ave. A German family style dinner will be served with brats, meatballs, sauerkraut, glazed carrots, coleslaw and bread. Cost is $12 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-10 and free for children under age 3.

 

The Met: Live in HD schedule

Oct. 11: Macbeth (Verdi), 11:55 a.m.

Oct. 18: Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart), a new production of “The Marriage of Figaro,” 11:55 a.m.

Nov. 1: Carmen (Bizet), 11:55 a.m.

Nov. 29: Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini), a rebroadcast “The Barber of Seville,” 11:55 a.m.

Dec. 13: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner), “The Mastersingers of Nuremberg,” 11 a.m.

Jan. 17: The Merry Widow (Lehár), a new production, 11:55 a.m.

Jan. 31: Les Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach), “The Tales of Hoffman,” 11:55 a.m.

Feb. 14: Iolanta (Tchaikovsky) and Bluebeard’s Castle (Bartók), a new production, 11:30 a.m.

March 14: La Donna del Lago (Rossini), “The Lady of the Lake,” 11:55 a.m.

April 25: Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) and Pagliacci (Leoncavallo), a new production, 11:30 a.m.