The new season of Live in HD from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City kicks off Saturday with one of Giuseppe Verdi’s beloved operas, “II Trovatore.”

The opera will begin at 11:55 a.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

While the storyline of “II Trovatore” is considered to be absurd, the music is wildly popular, including the famous “Anvil Chorus.”

Anna Netrebko makes her Met role debut as Leonore, Delora Zajick as the gypsy women, Dmitri Hvorostovsky as Count di Luna and Yonghoon Lee as Manrico.

The opera is a tangle of love, passion and murder. Count di Luna is in love with Leonora; however, she is in love with Manrico.

A gypsy woman has raised Manrico as her own son as a result of her mother being burnt at the stake many years ago for bewitching the Count’s infant brother. Count di Luna challenges Manrico to a duel and is wounded. Leonora, thinking Manrico is killed in war and trying to escape the Count, enters a convent. Manrico returns to find Leonora. They are to be wed, but the Count captures them and orders Manrico to be executed.

Leonora offers herself to the Count but takes a slow-acting poison. Leonora tells Manrico that he is saved, but the Count arrives to find them and sends Manrico to his death. Leonora dies, and in a twist of fate, the Count finds out Manrico is his brother.

The remainder of the season is as follows:

Oct. 17: Otello

Oct. 31: Tannhaüser

Nov. 21: Lulu

Jan. 16: Les Pêcheurs de Perles

Jan. 30: Turnandot

March 5: Manon Lescaut

April 2: Madam Butterfly

April 16: Roberto Devereux

April 30: Elecktra

A special family version of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” will be shown at 1 p.m. Jan. 2. This is especially for children and a great introduction to the opera.

Meet the Met will be held one half hour prior to the start of the opera in the theater. This short program will have facts about the opera and singers.

Tickets for all shows are $20 for adults and $12 for students.

Other events this weekend are as follows:

 

Friday

• “Our Mothers and Daughters: Four Generations of Artwork” will be at the Albert Lea Art Center, 226 W. Clark St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The exhibit features the work of Carli Marticia Bailey, Rachel Bailey Collier, Marticia Davis Bailey and Rachel Marticia Davis.

• The Eddie Cochran Birthday Bash featuring The Tubescreamers will be from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse Event Center, 621 Marshall St.

Winners will perform with the Tubescreamers. Tickets are available online at http://lighthouseeventctr.wix.com/lighthouse or by calling 373-3144.

 

Saturday

• The Midwest’s largest historical re-enactment of early America, the Big Island Rendezvous will take place at Bancroft Bay Park.

Gates open at 9 a.m. each day, and tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for children ages 6 to 11 and free for children 5 and under. Family passes are $25.

• The Albert Lea Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to noon at the Northbridge Mall parking lot, 2510 Bridge Ave.

• Ruby’s Pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to noon at the Assembly of God church, 1540 S. Shore Drive. With a $20 cash donation, people can leave with an abundance of food. People  are asked to bring two boxes or laundry baskets to put food in.

“Our Mothers and Daughters: Four Generations of Artwork” will be at the Albert Lea Art Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

Sunday

Breakfast will be served at the Eagles Club from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausages, biscuits and gravy, juice, milk and coffee for $8.

The Big Island Rendezvous will take place at Bancroft Bay Park. Gates open at 9 a.m. each day, and tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for children ages 6 to 11 and free for children 5 and under. Family passes are $25.

Cross of Glory Lutheran Church will celebrate its 125th anniversary from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Celebration includes a 10:45 a.m. service with a noon dinner. Donations will be accepted to ELS missions.