BY KAREN BOSSICK

Vincenzo Bellini’s “I Puritani”—called “the rage of Paris” when it debuted in 1835—will take to the big screen on Saturday when the Metropolitan Opera presents its live simulcast of “I Puritani.”

The MetHD production, presented by Sun Valley Opera and Broadway, will begin at 10:55 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Merlin’s Magic Lantern, 100 Second St. W., in Ketchum. Tickets are $22 for general audiences and $20 for seniors.

The running time is three hours 45 minutes with an intermission and the concession stand will be open.

“Puritani” has few equals when it comes to gorgeous melody, spellbinding coloratura and virtuoso vocal fireworks, according to the Metropolitan Opera.

This is the first new Met production of Bellini’s final masterpiece in nearly 50 years, and it will feature a striking staging by Charles Edwards, who makes his company directorial debut after much success as a set designer.

Marco Armiliato will conduct an international superstar quartet of talent that includes Soprano Lisette Oropesa and tenor Lawrence Brownlee as Elvira and Arturo—a couple who has been brought together by love and torn apart by the political rifts of the English Civil War.

Polish Baritone Artur Rucinski will play Riccardo, who is betrothed to Elvira against her will. Bass-baritone Christian Van Horn will play Elvira’s sympathetic uncle Giorgio.

The opera is set in England during the 1640s where the Puritan soldiers are gathering in anticipation of a victory over the Royalists. Riccardo had been promised Elvira’s hand in marriage by her father Lord Valton but has learned that she is in love with Arturo, a Royalist.

Elvira, meanwhile is aghast at learning that she is to be married and descends into madness while Arturo must go on the run.

Bellini, an Italian opera composer was known for his long graceful melodies and evocative musical settings. He had a short but significant career, writing many celebrated operas. He wrote “I Puritani” after visiting London before dying at 33.