This satin programme was produced for the world premiere of Samuel Barber's opera Antony and Cleopatra, adapted from the original William Shakespeare by Franco Zeffirelli, the inaugural performance at New York's Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Centre, 16 September 1966. Cleopatra was played by Leontyne Price, Antony by Justino Diaz, Caesar by Jess Thomas, Charmian by Rosalind Elias, Enobarbus by Ezio Flagello, Iras by Belen Amparan, Octavia by Mary Ellen Pracht, Agrippa by John Macurdy, Mardian by Andrea Velis, Clown by Clifford Harvuot, Messanger by Paul Franke, Soothsayer by Lorenzo Alvary, Lepidus by Robert Nagy, Maecenas by Russell Christopher, Dolabella by Gene Boucher, Thidias by Robert Goodloe, Decretas by Louis Sgarro, Alexas by Raymond Michalski, Scarus by Ron Bottcher, A Captain by Dan Marek, Soldier of Caesar by Gabor Carelli, and Guards by Robert Schmorr and Norman Scott. Choreography was by Alvin Ailey, the Director of Ballet was Alicia Markova, the Chorus Master was Kurt Adler, and the Musical Preparation was by Ignace Strasfogel and Lawrence Smith. The new production was made possible by a gift from Mr. Francis Goelet, and the commemorative programme, designed by Julian Tomchin, was given by the Japan Silk Association & International Silk Association (USA).