Antony and Cleopatra is an opera in three acts by Samuel Barber. The libretto was prepared by Franco Zeffirelli based on the play Antony and Cleopatra by Shakespeare. It made use of Shakepeare's language exclusively. Sydney Opera House: one of the worlds most recognisable opera houses and landmarks. ... Samuel Barber, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1944 Samuel Osborne Barber (March 9, 1910–January 23, 1981) was an American composer of classical music, best known for his Adagio for Strings. ... A libretto is the complete body of words used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, sacred or secular oratorio and cantata, musical, and ballet. ... Franco Zeffirelli (born Gianfranco Corsi on February 12, 1923), is an Italian film director. ... Antony and Cleopatra is a historical tragedy by William Shakespeare, first performed in 1607 or 1608 and printed in the First Folio, 1623. ... William Shakespeare—born April 1564; baptised April 26, 1564; died April 23, 1616 (O.S.), May 3, 1616 (N.S.)—has a reputation as the greatest of all writers in English. ...

It was first performed in New York on September 16, 1966, at the opening of the new Metropolitan Opera house in Lincoln Center. The idea was to have a new opera by an American composer for the gala opening of the house. Official language(s) English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  Ranked 27th  - Total 54,520 sq mi (141,205 km²)  - Width 285 miles (455 km)  - Length 330 miles (530 km)  - % water 13. ... September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, seen from Lincoln Center Plaza A full house at the old Metropolitan Opera House, seen from the rear of the stage, at the Metropolitan Opera House for a concert by pianist Józef Hofmann, November 28, 1937. ... The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. ...

No expense was spared. Zeffirelli was hired as stage director. Thomas Schippers was the condctor. The stage design and costunmes were elaborate; the cast enormous. Stars in the cast included Leontyne Price, Justino Diaz, Jess Thomas, and Rosalind Elias. Thomas Schippers (1930-1977) was a prominent American orchestral conductor. ... Leontyne Price as Aida Permission of Metropolitan Opera Archives Mary Violet Leontyne Price (b. ... Justino Diaz (born January 29, 1940 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is an internationally renowned opera singer. ... Jess Thomas (August 4, 1927, Hot Springs, South Dakota- October 11, 1993, San Francisco, California) was a lyric and Wagnerian tenor. ...

The was throoughly and cruelly panned by critics. This is generally attributed to the conflict between the elaborate staging and the more intimate nature of Barber's music. Most embarrassing, the stage turntable broke under the weight of massive cast of extras.

The opera was canceled after the opening night. Many believe that the music is some of Barber's best.

Barber revised the opera and it was later performed at the Julliard School, the Spoleto festival, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Spoleto performance conducted by Gian-Carlo Menotti and starring Jeffry Wells and Esther Hinds is available on CD (New World Records, 1992). The Juilliard School is a performing arts conservatory in New York City, informally but definitively identified as simply Juilliard, and most famous for its musically-trained alumni. ... The Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. ... Gian Carlo Menotti, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1944 Gian Carlo Menotti (born July 7, 1911, Cadegliano, Italy) is an Italian-born American composer and librettist. ...