The Metropolitan Opera’s season opener features a cameo by the Statue of Liberty, symbolizing New York’s historical role as a refuge for Jews escaping Nazism. The opera, “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” begins its 2025-26 cycle and tells the story of Joe Kavalier’s flight from Nazi-occupied Prague to Brooklyn, where he teams up with cousin Sam Clay to create a comic strip featuring a superhero, “The Escapist,” who battles fascism.
Tenor Miles Mykkanen notes that the opera addresses contemporary issues relevant to today’s audiences. Based on Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the production blends music and storytelling across settings in Prague and Brooklyn, tackling themes of love, loss, and the importance of art. This marks the Met’s first opera centered on a comic book superhero, which may appeal to new audiences.
Composer Mason Bates highlights the ongoing relevance of superheroes in combating fascism and authoritarianism. The opera opens with a dramatic symphonic score, featuring striking visuals and an emotional narrative. Directed by Bartlett Sher, the piece resonates with ongoing global political challenges, encouraging audiences to reflect on the plight of immigrants and the ideals of freedom in America.
