Metropolitan Opera goes on demand with new iPad app

New York's Metropolitan Opera today said that it will launch an app for Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPad, Met Opera on Demand," that includes 44 of its performances from its Live in HD series, a catalog of performances from the past and promises of new content monthly.

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Met Opera on Demand includes 44 performances from its Live in HD series.

The Met isn't new to new media, it has been traveling across the country to new audiences via movie theaters for a couple of years.

In addition to unlimited streaming access to video transmissions from the company's Live in HD series, the new app also includes hundreds of TV and radio broadcasts. 250 performances will be available at launch.

The Met said it would add new content monthly to the app, which is available free in the App Store. Live in HD titles will be added to the service two to three months after their premiere in movie theaters. Subscriptions to the streaming content start at $14.99 a month, which also allow users to stream performances to their computers.

"We want opera to be as widely available as technology permits," said the Met's GM Peter Gelb. "With its superb video and audio quality, our iPad app should appeal to neophytes as well as the aficionados who would like to relive every expertly delivered high C."

The Met's Live in HD series includes intermission features that take viewers behind the scenes for interviews with the stars of each production.

Productions currently available for streaming include Le Comte Ory, Anna Bolena and Don Giovanni, among many others. Historic telecasts featuring stars like Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, Joan Sutherland and Leontyne Price also will be available.

The app also includes social sharing capabilities for Facebook and Twitter.

For more:
- see this release
- see this Met catalog of offerings