Met Opera to Live Stream George Saunders Lincoln in the Bardo Opera

Audiences worldwide can watch the sold-out run of the world-premiere opera Lincoln in the Bardo for free this weekend.

The Metropolitan Opera will broadcast the production on its YouTube channel this Saturday, Nov. 14, at 8 p.m.

The digital event marks the conclusion of the acclaimed production by composer Missy Mazzoli, with a libretto by Royce Vavrek.

Saunders is scheduled to introduce the Nov. 14 broadcast.

Met Opera adapts experimental novel 'Lincoln in the Bardo' for the stage — PBS NewsHour

A ghost story of grief and nationhood

Set in Washington during the lowest moments of the Civil War in 1862, the story centers on President Abraham Lincoln. The narrative unfolds within a ghostly realm known as the bardo, where Lincoln exists as the sole living character.

The arrival of his recently deceased son, Willie, acts as the catalyst for the production’s action. This event triggers a series of magical transformations and realizations among the restless ghosts inhabiting the cemetery. The libretto and novel explore the tension between Lincoln’s private, profound grief and the humor of ghosts struggling to understand their existence.

Ultimately, the work depicts Lincoln’s acceptance of his son’s death and how his interactions with the deceased revitalize his mission to free a people. This thematic braiding of a father’s loss with a nation’s struggle is a central pillar of the adaptation.

Documentary shows the making of Lincoln in the Bardo

The broadcast includes a documentary feature titled “The Making of Lincoln in the Bardo.” Created by Service95, the global cultural platform of Dua Lipa, the 17-minute film provides a look at the two-month period leading up to the opera’s world premiere at the Met on Oct. 19.

The documentary captures the collaborative nature of a new stage production through:

Interviews with the cast and the creative team.
Behind-the-scenes footage of rehearsals.
Insights into the design process.

Lincoln in the Bardo LIVE from the Metropolitan Opera — Metropolitan Opera

The film’s connection to the original text was strengthened when Dua Lipa selected Lincoln in the Bardo as her Service95 Book Club Monthly Read in October 2024. During that time, Lipa interviewed Saunders regarding the creative processes behind the novel and its themes of empathy.

From page to stage and screen

The journey of this story extends beyond the opera house. While the Met concludes its run this week, the literary work is currently being adapted into a feature film. Tom Hanks is set to star in the role of President Lincoln.

The accessibility of this performance via YouTube provides a rare opportunity for global audiences to engage with high-level operatic works that are typically restricted by the high costs of live attendance and physical venue capacity.

The stream remains available until midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 18.