When ‘Medea’ sings, husbands better behave

Above : Soprano Sandra Radvanovsky stars in the title role of The Met: Live in HD production of “Medea.” (Photo/The Metropolitan Opera)

Woe be to those husbands who cheat on their wives. That, at least, seems to be one of the messages that the Greek playwright Euripides was trying to communicate with his tragedy “Medea.”

First produced in 431 BCE, the tale revolves around the title character and her husband Jason, he of Golden Fleece fame. Enraged that Jason intends to move on and marry a princess of Corinth named Glauce, who just happens to be the daughter of King Creon, Medea murders not only the intended bride and her father but also the two children she bore with Jason.

Then she flies away with the bodies of the dead kids in a chariot provided to her by the sun god Helios. Revenge complete.

Produced in various forms, from straight stage plays to movies and operas, “Medea” has particular today meaning following the Me, Too revelations of recent years.

And the Metropolitan Opera is paying attention. On Saturday and the following Wednesday, The Met: Live in HD series will air composer Luigi Cherubini’s version of the ancient tale at the Regal Cinemas theaters at NorthTown Mall and Coeur d’Alene’s Riverstone Stadium.

Saturday’s screenings will begin at 9:55 a.m., while Wednesday’s will begin at 6:30 p.m. (An additional Wednesday show will screen at 1 p.m. at NorthTown only.)

Soprano Sandra Radvanovsky will appear as Medea, tenor Matthew Polenzani as Giascone (French for Jason), soprano Janai Brugger as the intended bride Glauce and bass Michele Pertusi as Creon.

Though Cherubini’s original production was performed in French, this version will be sung in Italian with English subtitles. Carlo Rizzi is set to conduct.

In any language, the wrath of women is severe. Husbands, you’ve been warned.