The Met: Live in HD will simulcast the first opera of the season Oct. 13 from the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

There will be a gala celebration beginning at 11 a.m. at the theater, with music in the lobby, refreshments in the Green Room for all ticket holders, along with a special surprise. Dress is optional “black tie.” The opera begins at noon.

The season runs from October through April, with one or two operas a month. All operas are on Saturdays.

Albert Lea’s Marion Ross Performing Arts Center is the only independent theater in Minnesota granted permission by the Met Opera to show the simulcasts. Albert Lea Civic Music and Albert Lea Community Theatre has partnered with The Metropolitan Opera of New York City to bring world-class opera to the Albert Lea area. A new 16-foot-wide screen, projector and satellites have been installed at the Ross Center.

Check out www.AlbertLeaCivicMusic.com to see these short videos of the operas.

“L’Elisir d’Amore” or “The Elixir of Love” by Donizetti is the first opera.

Meet the Met is a gathering every Friday prior to a high-def simulcasts at the Prairie Wind Coffee on Broadway in Albert Lea from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Opera fans or people just wanting to find out more about the opera will meet for a short presentation about the next day’s opera, the synopsis, the opera stars who will be singing, and a little history of the Metropolitan Opera will be given. The first Meet the Met will be Friday.

Several restaurants in Albert Lea will offer a discount on a food item the day of the opera when you show your ticket stub. Participating in the discount is Crescendo, Wedgewood Cove Golf Club and 112 on Broadway.

Tickets are available through the ACT box office. General tickets for each opera are $20 and for students under 30 are $12. If you hold a Civic Music or ACT season ticket, you can receive a discount at the box office. Hours are every Thursday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. During performances of an ACT show, box office hours will vary.

General tickets are also available from the ACT website. The following websites have information, dates, operas to be shown, and links to purchase tickets www.actonbroadway.com and www.albertleacivicmusic.com.