BY KAREN BOSSICK

Get prepared for vocal fireworks when Live from the Met in HD presents Gioachino Rossini’s “Semiramide.”

The opera, making its first appearance at The Met in 25 years, will be broadcast at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at the Big Wood 4 Cinemas in Hailey.

There will not be a pre-opera lecture. Doors will open at 10 a.m. for the opera, which lasts three and a half hours.

“Semiramide” premiered in Venice in 1823. For decades afterwards, the tragic opera swept through the music  capitals of Europe, enthralling audiences with its transcendentally beautiful use of melody, exhilarating drama and astonishing vocal displays.

Set in ancient Babylon, the opera opens with a prince descended from Baal bringing offerings in hopes that Queen Semiramide will choose him as successor to her late husband.

But, as the queen enters, the sacred altar flame goes out, portending  a bad omen.

In time, Semiramide falls in love with a warrior named Arsace. But he is in love with Princess Azema, who loves him even though she has been promised to the dead King Nino’s lost son. And on and on it goes.

“Semiramide” was Rossini’s final Italian opera, and it was the last opera of the great Baroque tradition.

Maurizio Benini will conduct the all-star bel canto cast featuring Angela Meade in the title role of the murderous Queen of Babylon.  She squares off in breathtaking duets with Arsace, a role sung by Elizabeth DeShong. Other cast members are Javier Camarena, Ildar Abdrazakov and Ryan Speedo Green.

Tickets are $16, available at the door. The Sun Valley Opera will provide free admission for any student who makes arrangements ahead of time with Mary Jo Helmeke at 208-720-5584.