When the most voluptuous, sought-after courtesan in the world meets an ascetic monk whose life is devoted to God, you know erotic sparks are going to fly. And when the clash takes place in a glorious, but rarely performed, opera by Massenet, it’s a delight to the ear just as much as to the eye. Renée Fleming is every inch the glamorous Thaïs, swathed in elegant gowns designed by Christian Lacroix. Thomas Hampson is Athanaël, the tortured man of God. This production by John Cox, which premiered in December 2008, brilliantly sets the stage for a confrontation as old as civilization itself.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Renée FlemingThaïs | Thaïs |
 Thomas HampsonAthanaël | Athanaël |
| MMichael SchadeNicias | Nicias |
 Alain VernhesPalémon | Palémon |
| AAlyson CambridgeCrobyle | Crobyle |
 Ginger Costa-JacksonMyrtale | Myrtale |
| LLeah PartridgeLa charmeuse | La charmeuse |
 Maria ZifchakAlbine | Albine |
| TTrevor ScheunemannGuard | Guard |
| DDaniel Clark SmithCenobite Monk | Cenobite Monk |
| RRoger AndrewsCenobite Monk | Cenobite Monk |
| KKurt PhinneyCenobite Monk | Cenobite Monk |
| RRichard PearsonCenobite Monk | Cenobite Monk |
| CCraig MontgomeryCenobite Monk | Cenobite Monk |
| ZZahra HashemianSolo dancer | Solo dancer |
| DDavid ChanSelf - Violin soloist | Self - Violin soloist |
 Jesús López-CobosSelf - Conductor | Self - Conductor |
 Plácido DomingoSelf - Host | Self - Host |
 MET OrchestraNot listed | Not listed |