Russian opera star Anna Netrebko has returned to the New York Met to open a new season with her performance in Donizetti’s comic opera L’Elisir d’Amore.

      The opening show featuring Bartlett Sher's staging of L'elisir d'Amore was broadcasted live on high-definition screens at Lincoln Center and Times Square. There was also a live translation on the Met’s official website.

      Last season opened with Donizetti’s tragic “Anna Bolena,” directed by David McVicar, with Netrebko taking the daunting title role. So this year Russian soprano has starred in the opening of Met’s new season for the second year in succession. L’Elisir d’Amore became Netrebko’s 13th production at the world renowned theater since her debut in 2002.

      During the season in the Met Anna Netrebko is also expected to perform Tchaikovsky's "Iolanta" later in 2012 and give two debut performances in "Eugene Onegin" and "The Marriage of Figaro" next spring.