Massenet: Thaïs (2008)
When the most voluptuous, sought-after courtesan in the world meets an ascetic monk whose life is devoted to God, you know erotic sparks are going to fly. And when the clash takes place in a glorious, but rarely performed, opera by Massenet, it’s a delight to the ear just as much as to the eye. Renée Fleming is every inch the glamorous Thaïs, swathed in elegant gowns designed by Christian Lacroix. Thomas Hampson is Athanaël, the tortured man of God. This production by John Cox, which premiered in December 2008, brilliantly sets the stage for a confrontation as old as civilization itself.
Directors: John Cox, Gary Halvorson.
https://www.metopera.org/season/on-demand/opera/?upc=811357012208
![]() |
Renée Fleming as Thaïs |
![]() |
Thomas Hampson as Athanaël |
![]() |
Michael Schade as Nicias |
![]() |
Alain Vernhes as Palémon |
![]() |
Alyson Cambridge as Crobyle |
![]() |
Ginger Costa-Jackson as Myrtale |
![]() |
Maria Zifchak as Albine |
![]() |
Trevor Scheunemann as Guard |
![]() |
Daniel Clark Smith as Cenobite Monk |
![]() |
Roger Andrews as Cenobite Monk |
![]() |
Kurt Phinney as Cenobite Monk |
![]() |
Richard Pearson as Cenobite Monk |
![]() |
Craig Montgomery as Cenobite Monk |
![]() |
Leah Partridge as La charmeuse |
![]() |
Zahra Hashemian as Solo dancer |
![]() |
David Chan as Self - Violin soloist |
![]() |
Jesús López-Cobos as Self - Conductor |
![]() |
Plácido Domingo as Self - Host |
![]() |
MET Orchestra as |
| Directing | John Cox | Director |
| Writing | Louis Gallet | Writer |
| Sound | Jesús López-Cobos | Conductor |
| Sound | Jules Massenet | Original Music Composer |
| Writing | Anatole France | Original Story |
| Directing | Gary Halvorson | Director |
| Art | John Cox | Production Design |
| Costume & Make-Up | Christian Lacroix | Costume Designer |
| Lighting | Duane Schuler | Lighting Design |
| Crew | Sara Jo Slate | Choreographer |
| Crew | Ron Washburn | Technical Supervisor |
| Production | Elena Park | Supervising Producer |
| Production | Mia Bongiovanni | Supervising Producer |
| Production | Louisa Briccetti | Producer |
| Production | Victoria Warivonchik | Producer |
| Sound | Jay David Saks | Music Producer |
| Costume & Make-Up | Nancy McNamara | Makeup Artist |
| Production | Peter Gelb | Executive Producer |
| Costume & Make-Up | Victor Callegari | Makeup Artist |
| Costume & Make-Up | Tom Watson | Hairstylist |
| Costume & Make-Up | Paul Brown | Costume Design |
| Art | Paul Brown | Set Designer |