The MET: LIVE in HD – Verdi’s Macbeth

Scotland. Macbeth and Banquo, leaders of the Scottish army, return victoriously from battle and meet a group of Witches who prophesy the future. They address Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland and tell Banquo that he will be the father of future kings. The two men try to learn more, but the Witches vanish. Messengers arrive with news that Duncan, the current king of Scotland, has made Macbeth Thane of Cawdor. The first part of the Witches’ prediction has come true.

In Macbeth’s castle, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband telling her of the events that have just transpired. She resolves to fulfill her ambitions. A servant announces that Duncan will soon arrive at the castle. When Macbeth enters, Lady Macbeth insinuates that they must kill the king. Duncan arrives. Later at night, Macbeth hallucinates a dagger on his way to commit the murder. Returning to his wife, Macbeth is tormented by voices. She fails to calm his terror and is forced to return to Duncan’s bedroom herself to place the incriminating dagger.

Banquo enters with Macduff, a nobleman, who discovers the king’s corpse. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth pretend to be horrified and join the others in condemning the murder.

Macbeth has become king. Duncan’s son Malcolm is suspected of having killed his father and has fled to England. Plagued by their own childlessness and by the prophecy that Banquo’s children will rule, Macbeth and his wife now plan to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. As Macbeth leaves to prepare the double murder, Lady Macbeth reflects on their spiraling descent into crime.

Outside the castle, assassins wait for Banquo, who appears with Fleance. Banquo expresses his dark forebodings. He is killed, but the boy escapes.

Lady Macbeth welcomes the court to the banquet hall and sings a drinking song, while Macbeth receives news that Banquo is dead and his son has escaped. About to take Banquo’s seat at the table, Macbeth has a terrifying vision of the dead man accusing him. His wife is unable to calm her raving husband, and the courtiers are disturbed by the king’s strange behavior. Macduff vows to leave the country which is now ruled by criminals.

The Witches gather again, and Macbeth visits them demanding more prophecies. Apparitions warn him to beware of Macduff, assure him that no man born of woman can harm him, and predict that he will be invincible until Birnam Wood moves towards his castle. Macbeth rejoices—until in another vision, he sees a procession of future kings of Scotland, confirming that his own line shall perish. Horrified, Macbeth collapses. Lady Macbeth arrives. They resolve to kill Macduff and his family.

The country has spiraled into civil war. Macduff is among the refugees, mourning his wife and children, whom Macbeth’s assassins have massacred. Duncan’s son Malcolm appears with troops from England, joins forces with Macduff, and together they march on Macbeth’s castle.

Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking through the halls of the castle, haunted by the horrors of what she and her husband have done.

Macbeth awaits the arrival of his enemies. Messengers bring news that Lady Macbeth has died and that Birnam Wood appears to be moving towards the castle. Macduff leads his soldiers camouflaged with branches. In the final battle for the castle, Macduff confronts Macbeth and tells him that he was not born naturally but by Caesarean section. He kills Macbeth and proclaims Malcolm king of Scotland.