Taking its cues from Cineplex Entertainment, Empire Theatres is preparing to run operas by Tchaikovsky, Rossini and Puccini beginning Feb. 24, picking up a series of live HD performances from New York City’s Metropolitan Opera.

Empire will screen performances from the Met in select cities including St. John’s, Halifax, Charlottetown, Edmonton and Surrey, B.C. Cineplex has been airing the same shows in its theaters since January.

‘Thanks to innovations in digital technology and upgrading our locations, fans and novices alike will experience the magic of live opera at their local movie theatre, at an affordable price,’ said Empire VP of marketing and media Dean Leland in a release.

The series runs from February to April and includes performances of Eugene Onegin, The Barber of Seville and Il Trittico.

Empire owns 54 theaters representing 379 screens across Canada.