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Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes, UK Thu, 1st April 2010 - Thu, 1st April 2010 From £17.00*Belmonte’s lover Constanze is being held captive by Pasha Selim. If Belmonte is going to rescue Constanze he will have to get past the Pasha’s steward Osmin first. This may not necessarily sound like the premise of a comedy but The Abduction from the Seraglio is one of Mozart’s wittiest and most delightful creations. The joyous overture suggests a boisterous sense of fun, which is carried right through to the final curtain with stratospheric arias and blissful ensembles along the way. BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize winner Andrew Kennedy performs the role of Belmonte. James Robinson’s stylish production for Welsh National Opera is irresistibly entertaining, setting the opera on the Orient Express of the 1920s en route from Paris to Istanbul. Cast includes Andrew Kennedy as Belmonte, Lisette Oropesa as Constanze, Petros Magoulas as Osmin, Claire Ormshaw as Blonde and Wynne Evans as Pedrillo. Sung in German with surtitles in English. A co-production of Houston Grand Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Colorado, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Minnesota Opera and Opera Pacific....
Royal Opera House, London, UK Tue, 27th April 2010 - Sun, 16th May 2010 From £185.00*Verdi's Aida returns to the Royal Opera stage in a new production with a world-class cast headed by Marcelo Alvarez as the warrior Radames and Micaela Carosi as the captured princess of the title. This is a society from long ago, ordered by ritual, obesessed with death, driven by war and power. How can the future love of prisoner and captor survive against such forces? The intensity and tragedy of the story inspired Verdi to some of his most haunting, powerful and famous music. From the seductive slave dances to the triumphal march, from the passion of 'Celeste Aida' to the hauntingly heart-rending finale, this is some of the most memorable music that often seems to suspend time itself make Aida one of the unique experiences of opera. The new production is by internationally acclaimed director David McVicar, who has several of The Royal Opera's most popular productions to his name. There are striking designs to evoke a strange and distant culture, there is the characteristically intense focus of McVicar's production. And of course there is glorious music given full reign by the forces of the Royal Opera's new Aida a star event of the whole Season....
Richmond Theatre, Richmond, UK Mon, 22nd March 2010 - Sat, 27th March 2010 From £18.00*Written by Willy Russell, author of Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine, the legendary Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to be re-united by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret . The incredible score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True. Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi award-winning Blood Brothers. Scooping up no less than four awards for Best Musical in London, seven Tony nominations on Broadway, and receiving a standing ovation at every performance, discover why Blood Brothers was voted the Most Popular British Musical Of All Time by New York Times readers. No wonder Blood Brothers is now ‘The musical for all time’. Starring Lyn Paul, one of the original members of the chart topping New Seekers. Considered by many Blood Brothers fans as the quintessential Mrs Johnstone, Lyn first joined the West End production of Blood Brothers in 1997, starring in the lead role for the next three years, including during the show’s 10th anniversary year. She has also played the role repeatedly on tour....
Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes, UK Wed, 31st March 2010 - Wed, 31st March 2010 From £17.00*Don José’s life was quiet, respectable and law abiding. From the moment he met Carmen his life has unravelled. He is intoxicated by her, blinded by jealousy, pursuing her across Spain and on the run. His jealousy will destroy him and if the cards are telling the truth, it will destroy Carmen too. Bizet’s most famous creation is full to the brim with instantly recognizable music and paints a mesmerizing picture of a Spain teeming with fascinating characters. Carmen herself is one of the most charismatic and hard to resist characters in opera. For a century and a half audiences the world over have fallen in love with her. Patricia Bardon returns to this production as Carmen with Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones reprising the role of Don José. Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser’s production for distils Bizet’s masterpiece right down to its essence. Cast includes Patricia Bardon as Carmen, Gwyn Hughes Jones as Don José, David Soar as Escamillo, Sarah-Jane Davies as Micaëla, Henry Waddington as Zuniga, Joanne Boag as Frasquita and Carolyn Dobbin as Mercedes. Sung in French with surtitles in English. Co-production with Scottish Opera....
The O2, London, UK Fri, 21st May 2010 - Sun, 23rd May 2010 From £25.00*The O2 is set to host its first fully staged opera. Carmen, the world's most popular opera, will take over The O2 in May 2010 for just three performances and follows on from highly successful and popular classical stagings of Carmina Burana, Andrea Bocelli and the world premiere of Ben Hur Live at the venue. Directed by David Freeman, founder of The Opera Factory and whose previous credits include Madam Butterfly Tosca and Carmen at the Royal Albert Hall, his production of Bizet's masterpiece comes to The O2 on a grand and spectacular scale. From the very first note to the final tragic chords, this stunning in-the-round production vividly portrays the powerful story of lust, superstition and murder that passionately unravels with fatal consequences. Carmen is presented by Raymond Gubbay and The O2 and will be performed by a superb cast of over 150 artists, including dancers, acrobats and fire-eaters. The wonderful set and fabulous costumes will bring to life the dusty atmosphere of the town square, the cool night air of the smugglers' mountain hideout and the colourful festivities outside of the bullring in Seville. Sung in English, Bizet's unforgettable score contains some of opera's finest arias and best loved music. The rousing Song of the Toreador, the beguiling Seguidilla, the tantalising Habanera and the enchanting Flower Song - sensual music that perfectly captures the very essence of Spain. Accompanied by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gareth Hancock, this world class company of singers, musicians and artist...
The O2 + Hotel, PACKAGES, UK - From £108.70*With this exclusive packaged hotel deal you can choose from the range of "Carmen" tickets and choose your duration at our selection London of hotels. The O2 is set to host its first fully staged opera. Carmen, the world's most popular opera, will take over The O2 in May 2010 for just three performances and follows on from highly successful and popular classical stagings of Carmina Burana, Andrea Bocelli and the world premiere of Ben Hur Live at the venue. Directed by David Freeman, founder of The Opera Factory and whose previous credits include Madam Butterfly Tosca and Carmen at the Royal Albert Hall, his production of Bizet's masterpiece comes to The O2 on a grand and spectacular scale. From the very first note to the final tragic chords, this stunning in-the-round production vividly portrays the powerful story of lust, superstition and murder that passionately unravels with fatal consequences. Carmen is presented by Raymond Gubbay and The O2 and will be performed by a superb cast of over 150 artists, including dancers, acrobats and fire-eaters. The wonderful set and fabulous costumes will bring to life the dusty atmosphere of the town square, the cool night air of the smugglers' mountain hideout and the colourful festivities outside of the bullring in Seville. Sung in English, Bizet's unforgettable score contains some of opera's finest arias and best loved music. The rousing Song of the Toreador, the beguiling Seguidilla, the tantalising Habanera and the enchanting Flower Song - sensual music that perfectly captures the very e...
New Victoria Theatre, Woking, UK Wed, 3rd November 2010 - Sat, 6th November 2010 From £29.00*Rossini’s comedy La Cenerentola, vividly brought to life in Sir Peter Hall’s acclaimed production for Glyndebourne, is a retelling of Perrault’s classic fairy tale, Cinderella.
Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, UK Tue, 30th November 2010 - Sat, 4th December 2010 From £16.00*Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart A new production for the 2010 Festival supported by Handel and Yvonne Evans Sung in Italian with English supertitles Mozart’s second collaboration with the mercurial librettist Lorenzo da Ponte is among the very blackest of black comedies. For its first new production of the opera in 10 years, Glyndebourne is pleased to welcome back the winning team of director Jonathan Kent and designer Paul Brown, while the conducting is shared between Festival Music Director, Vladimir Jurowski, and the new Music Director of Glyndebourne on Tour, Jakub Hruša. In the title role we also welcome back the great bass-baritone Gerald Finley, who has appeared in many Glyndebourne productions since joining the Chorus in 1986 – not least in the title role of Le nozze di Figaro at the opening of the new house in 1994. He has sung Don Giovanni to worldwide acclaim in New York, London, Paris, Vienna, Rome, Budapest and Prague. He is joined by Luca Pisaroni (Guglielmo in the 2006 Festival’s Così fan tutte) as Leporello, Kate Royal (the Governess in Jonathan Kent’s 2006 staging of The Turn of the Screw) as Donna Elvira, and the young Russian soprano Anna Samuil making her UK opera debut as Donna Anna....
New Victoria Theatre, Woking, UK Tue, 2nd November 2010 - Fri, 5th November 2010 From £29.00*Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart A new production for the 2010 Festival supported by Handel and Yvonne Evans Sung in Italian with English supertitles Mozart’s second collaboration with the mercurial librettist Lorenzo da Ponte is among the very blackest of black comedies. For its first new production of the opera in 10 years, Glyndebourne is pleased to welcome back the winning team of director Jonathan Kent and designer Paul Brown, while the conducting is shared between Festival Music Director, Vladimir Jurowski, and the new Music Director of Glyndebourne on Tour, Jakub Hruša. In the title role we also welcome back the great bass-baritone Gerald Finley, who has appeared in many Glyndebourne productions since joining the Chorus in 1986 – not least in the title role of Le nozze di Figaro at the opening of the new house in 1994. He has sung Don Giovanni to worldwide acclaim in New York, London, Paris, Vienna, Rome, Budapest and Prague. He is joined by Luca Pisaroni (Guglielmo in the 2006 Festival’s Così fan tutte) as Leporello, Kate Royal (the Governess in Jonathan Kent’s 2006 staging of The Turn of the Screw) as Donna Elvira, and the young Russian soprano Anna Samuil making her UK opera debut as Donna Anna....
London Coliseum, London, UK Fri, 18th June 2010 - Fri, 9th July 2010 From £16.00*Mozart's first mature masterpiece took a stock mythological plot and transformed it into a life-and-death drama of real characters confronted by the personal and political consequences of choices made in a time of war. Following her 2009 adaptation of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas which sold-out at the Young Vic, and is also set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, Katie Mitchell brings her unique directorial style to bear on what is now widely seen as Mozart's most deeply felt piece. Full of virtuosic yet often intimately lyrical vocal writing, grand public processions and stirring choruses, Idomeneo is conducted by ENO's Olivier Award-winning Music Director, Edward Gardner. The cast features some of Britain's best, including Paul Nilon, Robert Murray, Sarah Tynan and Emma Bell. Running time: 3hrs Idomeneo Paul Nilon; Idamante Robert Murray; Elettra Emma Bell; Ilia Sarah Tynan Conductor Edward Gardner; Director Katie Mitchell; Set Designers Vicki Mortimer, Alex Eales; Costume Designer Vicki Mortimer; Lighting Designer Paule Constable ...
Royal Opera House, London, UK Sat, 3rd April 2010 - Mon, 19th April 2010 From £27.00*It’s La dolce vita with a twist in this sparkling production of Rossini’s opera of comic confusion – Il turco in Italia. Naples in the 1960s is the setting for a riotous and stylish staging by the ever-popular directors Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier, returning for its first revival by The Royal Opera since its acclaimed premiere in 2005. When a handsome Turkish prince arrives in pursuit of one of his harem he can have no idea of the unintended consequences in store when he falls for the charms of a bored housewife — whose husband not surprisingly objects. Add a smooth lady’s man and a poet who sees everything as the subject for his new play, then just watch as the cast get hopelessly knotted in intrigues, plots and doppelgangers. Once again, the performers are stellar indeed — top Royal Opera favourites acclaimed in this difficult and delightful Italian repertory. Ildebrando d’Arcangelo as the prince and Aleksandra Kurzak as the errant wife lead a cast guaranteed to bring out the sparkle of one of Rossini’s most engaging scores. There are wonderful ensembles, a great quintet and witty duets that give every opportunity for brilliant singing. Under the baton of Maurizio Benini, with the precision of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and the versatility of the Royal Opera Chorus, this is a rare occasion to bring out the full thrill of Rossini in live performance. ...
London Coliseum, London, UK Mon, 15th March 2010 - Sat, 27th March 2010 From £16.00*David Alden follows his double Olivier Award-winning production of Janáček's Jenůfa with a new staging of the Czech composer's later lyrical masterpiece, Katya Kabanova. A claustrophobically intense yet heart-rending study of sexual morality within a close-knit community, it was inspired by Janáček's erotic obsession with a younger married woman. Stunning singing actress Patricia Racette makes her ENO debut as the passionate soul trapped in a loveless marriage, with Stuart Skelton (a sensational Peter Grimes in another Alden staging in 2009) as the stranger who offers her a brief hope of happiness. Janáček's most lyrically emotional score is conducted by Mark Wigglesworth with an outstanding cast also featuring Susan Bickley, Clive Bayley, John Graham-Hall, Anna Grevelius and Alfie Boe. Costumes were built by The Dallas Opera Costume Workshop A co-production with Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos, Lisbon and Teatr Wielki-Opera Narodowa, Warsaw Supported by The Friends of ENO Running time: 1hr 40mins CAST: Katerina Kabanova Patricia Racette; Marfa Kabanicha Susan Bickley; Varvara Anna Grevelius; Boris Grigoryevich Stuart Skelton; Vanya Kudrjas Alfie Boe; Tikhon Ivanich Kabanov John Graham-Hall; Dikoy Clive Bayley; Kuligin William Robert Allenby Conductor Mark Wigglesworth; Director David Alden; Set Designer Charles Edwards; Costume Designer Jon Morrell; Lighting Designer Adam Silverman...
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Glasgow, UK Wed, 3rd March 2010 - Sat, 13th March 2010 From £9.00*This iconic opera tells the story of the love affair between Mimi and the struggling writer Rodolfo. The welcome return of an audience favourite, Tony award-winning director Stewart Laing’s production presents a traditional tale in a meaningful contemporary context - the exciting modern art scene of 21st century New York. Young artists, living and working in stark studio apartments, turn loft spaces into art galleries. When Rodolfo sees Mimi for the first time, they fall hopelessly in love - but the course of true love rarely runs smoothly. Encompassing dramatic passion and the pain of being young, poor and in love, Puccini’s whirling melodic score moves from revelry to romance as it carries the story toward its tragic conclusion. Young Irish soprano Celine Byrne and French tenor Avi Klemberg, make their Scottish Opera débuts. Nadine Livingstone (who also takes the title role in this season’s Kátya Kabanová) sings Musetta. Scottish Opera Music Director Francesco Corti conducts. Scottish Opera La bohème Giacomo Puccini Sung in Italian with English supertitles Revival of 2004 production...
Royal Opera House, London, UK Thu, 20th May 2010 - Thu, 3rd June 2010 From £37.00*Laurent Pelly’s fabulously entertaining production of La Fille du règiment was the hottest ticket in town when it was first staged early in 2007. The wonderful combination of great performance, stylish design and irreverently witty production are all ready for this first revival by The Royal Opera, and Bruno Campanella once more conducts Donizetti’s lively and memorable masterpiece to bring out all its undeniable lyrical charm. Many of the original cast return for their roles, so Natalie Dessay will once more be singing fabulous coloratura while ironing the regimental smalls — just one of a host of musical and stage moments from start to finish that has had the audience laughing out loud. The story has all the elements of comic coincidence and timely discovery as our tomboy heroine is forced into more ladylike circles suitable to her aristocratic birth. But while a judicious society wedding may be the intention of some, this heroine is far too spirited to give in to any wishes but those of her own heart.This is not a revival to miss if you like great singing of virtuosic showpieces, with a star cast and every number beautifully honed to hit its target — sometimes touching, sometimes lyrical, but always a delight. And in this inspired production, it is a truly memorable night of sheer fun with The Royal Opera. Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes Conductor: Bruno Campanella Director: Laurent Pelly Set designs: Chantal Thomas Costume designs: Laurent Pelly Lighting: Joël Adam Choreography: Laura Scozzi Casting Marie: Natali...
Royal Opera House, London, UK Tue, 9th March 2010 - Wed, 28th April 2010 From £20.00*La Fille mal gardée (or The Wayward Daughter) is one of Frederick Ashton’s most charming ballets. Its combination of lighthearted story, beautiful solos and pas de deux and lively ensembles have made it a timeless classic of the Royal Ballet repertory and an audience favourite every time. Haystacks and chickens, ponies and storms, and a charming tale of young love in a picturesque rural scene – everything sparkles with a winning combination of uplifting and expressive dance, vibrant colour and lyrical music. This is a great introduction to ballet for newcomers of any age. In the story, young Lise, the ‘wayward daughter’ of the title, is determined to marry Colas, the son of a farmer, for love. But her guardian aunt Widow Simone would rather she married the child-like Alain for money and status. The battle of wits and wills that follows is full of humour — and at every turn, Lise manages to stay one step ahead of her guardian. There are no prizes for guessing what the happy ending will be. Whether in the expressive power of the lovers’ pas de deux, the quirky characterizations of Widow Simone and Alain, or the shared joy of the rustic dances, this is a work to coax smiles and leave indelible memories...
Royal Opera House, London, UK Tue, 11th May 2010 - Mon, 24th May 2010 From £37.00*La traviata is one of the most popular of all operas, loved for its drama, its excitement and its famous music. The social scandal, stormy love affair and doomed heroine of La Dame aux camélias inspired Verdi to music of matching passion and memorable melodies. Richard Eyre’s ever-popular production for The Royal Opera brings the elegant world of 19th-century Parisian society to life. There is the glamour of an extravagant lifestyle made especially vivid through Bob Crowley’s sumptuous designs – but there are also the swiftly revealed dangers at the tragic heart of the drama. The claustrophobic conventions of society, painful deception and true self-sacrifice are even more powerful and poignant when set to Verdi’s music. Such powerful emotions so beautifully portrayed have earned La traviata its place as one of the greatest operas of all time. The wonderful musical resources of The Royal Opera – cast, conductor, chorus, orchestra – and this ever-popular production show why La traviata is also such great theatre....
Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, The Lowry, UK Sat, 19th June 2010 - Sat, 19th June 2010 From £14.00*One of Donizetti’s most dramatic and affecting works, Maria Stuarda charts fact and fictional events leading to Mary Queen of Scots execution. Donizetti originally courted controversy by addressing such powerful material and the opera was initially banned. Two exceptional singers return to Opera North, Sarah Connolly to sing Mary Queen of Scots (Romeo in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Autumn 2008) and Antonia Cifrone sings Elizabeth I (Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, Spring 2008). Both will bring charisma and drama to the lead roles of this bel canto opera. The centrepiece of this opera is the fictional confrontation between Mary Stuart, the Catholic Queen of Scotland, and the Protestant Queen Elizabeth I. The opera builds to the moment of conflict when political, religious and romantic tensions simmer over, resulting in Mary's condemnation and eventual execution. The opera is recognised as one of Donizetti's most persuasive and powerful scores and culminates in an exceptionally affecting final scene. Antony McDonald is well known at Opera North for his set designs and will make his directorial debut with this production, joined by the widely travelled conductor Guido Johannes Rumstadt. Sung in Italian with English titles Lasts approximately 2 hours 30 minutes...
Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, UK Thu, 2nd December 2010 - Thu, 2nd December 2010 From £16.00*L’incoronazione di Poppea is Claudio Monteverdi’s (1567-1643) last opera. It was premiered at Teatro di Giovanni e Paolo in Venice in 1642 and was given its first professional production at Glyndebourne in 1962. The plot, by librettist Busenello, is suggested in the prologue with the apparent triumph of Love over Virtue and Fortune. Love, reflected through Nerone’s blind infatuation for the amoral and relentlessly ambitious Poppea, is powerfully illustrated in one of the most beautiful love duets ever written at the conclusion of this masterpiece.
New Victoria Theatre, Woking, UK Thu, 4th November 2010 - Thu, 4th November 2010 From £29.00*L’incoronazione di Poppea is Claudio Monteverdi’s (1567-1643) last opera. It was premiered at Teatro di Giovanni e Paolo in Venice in 1642 and was given its first professional production at Glyndebourne in 1962. The plot, by librettist Busenello, is suggested in the prologue with the apparent triumph of Love over Virtue and Fortune. Love, reflected through Nerone’s blind infatuation for the amoral and relentlessly ambitious Poppea, is powerfully illustrated in one of the most beautiful love duets ever written at the conclusion of this masterpiece.
Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, The Lowry, UK Thu, 17th June 2010 - Thu, 17th June 2010 From £41.00*Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, Rusalka is a modern-day fairytale of a water nymph who yearns to be part of the human world to earn the love of a prince. Invoking the help of a manipulative witch, she is bound by strict conditions that will lead her to discover the meaning of true love First performed by Opera North in 2003, Olivia Fuchs’ award-winning production returns with many of its original cast, including Irish soprano, Giselle Allen as Rusalka, Susannah Glanville as The Foreign Princess and Richard Angus as The Water Sprite. Internationally acclaimed Richard Berkeley-Steele makes his Opera North debut as The Prince. Suffused with a haunting score, famed for Rusalka’s poignant ‘Song to the Moon,’ and conducted by Oliver von Dohnanyi, (The Bartered Bride, 1998) Rusalka offers an altogether spell-binding experience. Sung in English Lasts approximately 3 hours 15 minutes...
London Coliseum, London, UK Thu, 4th March 2010 - Fri, 26th March 2010 From £16.00*One of the most visually spectacular opera stagings of recent decades, ENO's London premiere production of Philip Glass's Satyagraha broke all Company box-office records for contemporary opera when it was first seen in 2007. Instilled with breath-taking theatrical flair by Improbable's award-winning director-designer partnership of Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch, it went on to enjoy equal success at the Metropolitan Opera, New York. A mesmerisingly hypnotic musical meditation upon Mahatma Gandhi's early years in South Africa, and his spiritual progress towards the concept of non-violent protest, Glass's operatic masterpiece now returns to the London Coliseum. Alan Oke repeats his compelling central performance as the young political activist taking the first tentative steps in his lifelong search for truth. Performed in Sanskrit with English surtitles Original production supported by The 20/20 Group A collaboration with Improbable A co-production with The Metropolitan Opera, New York 9 performances. Running time: 3hrs 15mins M. K. Gandhi Alan Oke; Miss Schlesen Elena Xanthoudakis; Mrs Naidoo Janis Kelly; Kasturbai Stephanie Marshall; Mrs Alexander Anne Mason; Mr Kallenbach Ashley Holland; Prince Arjuna Robert Poulton; Lord Krishna/Parsi Rustomji James Gower Director Phelim McDermott; Associate Director/Designer Julian Crouch; Revival Director David Kneuss; Costume Designer Kevin Pollard; Lighting Designer Paule Constable; Video Designers Leo Warner and Mark Grimmer for Fifty Nine Productions Please note: Sung in Sunskrit. No Eng...
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Glasgow, UK Thu, 8th April 2010 - Sat, 10th April 2010 From £9.00*The Adventures of Mr Broucek is one of Janácek’s most vibrantly original works. Rarely presented in the UK, this is an exciting new collaboration with Opera North. The production is a first for Scottish Opera who, with Welsh National Opera, championed the composer’s work in the 1970s and 80s with an acclaimed Janácek Cycle. The beer-fuelled Mr Broucek’s adventures take him through space and time: first to the moon and then to the middle of the revolution in 15th-century Prague. By turns funny, surreal, tender and thrilling, the opera is full of wonderful portraits and parodies - of artists, poets, soldiers, and the ordinary people of Janácek’s homeland. The music is just as varied as Broucek’s adventures, from the extra-terrestrial sounds of the moon music, to the gorgeous orchestral interlude which transforms the action from the moon to Prague. Bagpipes and an organ add an edge to the stirringly patriotic Hussite hymns and celebrations, sung by a 40 strong chorus. John Fulljames directs a superb cast including English tenor John Graham Hall and Scottish contralto Frances McCafferty, making her Scottish Opera débuts, alongside celebrated Scottish baritone Donald Maxwell. Scottish Opera The Adventures of Mr Broucek Leoš Janácek Production supported by The Alexander Gibson Circle Sung in English with English supertitles A new co-production with Opera North...
Royal Opera House, London, UK Fri, 19th March 2010 - Thu, 1st April 2010 From £22.00*Bill Bryden’s beautiful production of The Cunning Little Vixen brings charm, wit and a wonderful life-affirming message to The Royal Opera. Inspired by a cartoon of the exploits of the feisty little Vixen Sharp-Ears, the opera brings to life the world of the forest. Not only do we meet the people who live by it and pass through it, but also come across all the creatures who live there – caterpillars, badgers, dragonflys, frogs and, of course, the Vixen herself. From her youthful escapades in the chicken house to her courtship with a handsome fox, this is a wonderful tale of the richness of the cycle of life. Charles Mackerras, the champion of Czech music and the great interpreter of Janácek, conducts a cast who combine great singing and acting to bring to life the engaging characters in this special world – a lovelorn schoolteacher, a tipsy priest, a poacher. And then there is the gamekeeper who observes the changing seasons in the forest and encounters our heroine on several occasions, each with different consequences. The evocative and rapturous music and the touching story make this a truly captivating opera for young and old....
London Coliseum, London, UK Wed, 3rd March 2010 - Tue, 23rd March 2010 From £16.00*The most often performed opera in Italy for two decades after its premiere, Donizetti's The Elixir of Love is still the most popular operatic ‘rom com' of all. Jonathan Miller's staging affectionately relocates the action from 19th century rural Italy to small-town ‘50s America. One of today's highest-flying young lyric tenors, John Tessier made a sensational ENO debut in the 2008 revival of Rossini's The Barber of Seville; he now returns as Nemorino, the lovesick young mechanic who believes that a travelling salesman (played by comic maestro Andrew Shore) really can cure his broken heart. With The Elixir of Love running alongside Lucia di Lammermoor, ENO audiences have a rare chance to relish both the comic and tragic sides of Donizetti's operatic genius. Scenery and costumes provided by New York City Opera and originally created for the Royal Swedish Opera 9 performances. Running time: 2hrs 25mins Adina Sarah Tynan; Nemorino John Tessier; Dulcamara Andrew Shore; Belcore David Kempster; Giannetta Julia Sporsén Conductor Pablo Heras-Casado; Director Jonathan Miller; Designer Isabella Bywater; Lighting Designer Hans Åke Sjöquist; Translation Kelley Rourke...
London Coliseum, London, UK Tue, 1st June 2010 - Thu, 8th July 2010 From £16.00*A thrilling tale of friendship tested by love, set on an exotic isle in an eastern sea, Bizet's early masterpiece is a gem of 19th-century French opera, full of fabulous tunes, colourful orchestration and evocative choruses. With Tony Award-winning tenor Alfie Boe as Nadir, ENO's new production is directed by outstanding film-maker Penny Woolcock, following her explosive debut with John Adams's Doctor Atomic at ENO and the Metropolitan Opera, New York. Conducted by rising Scottish podium star Rory Macdonald, who made his own impressive ENO debut last season with Rossini's The Barber of Seville, it offers UK audiences a rare chance to discover what a pearl of a piece Bizet's opera can be. Running time: 2hrs 30mins Full cast to be announced Conductor Rory Macdonald; Director Penny Woolcock; Set Designer Dick Bird; Costume Designer Kevin Pollard; Lighting Designer Jennifer Schriever; Movement Director Andrew Dawson...
Churchill Theatre, Bromley, UK Tue, 20th April 2010 - Sat, 24th April 2010 From £16.00*Paul Nicholas stars in this lively rendition of one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular comic operas supported by full cast and orchestra. Orphaned pirates, flat-footed policemen and a bevy of blushing beauties (the daughters of Major General Stanley) are the perfect ingredients for a fabulous feast of Gilbert and Sullivan. Elegantly recreating the original period settings and costumes, this acclaimed production combines Sullivan’s ever-popular and sparkling score with what has to be the most topsy-turvy of all Gilbert’s plots. Venture with us into the swashbuckling world of Frederic the pirate apprentice, who – born on February 29th in a leap year – won’t 'come of age' until he is 84!...
Churchill Theatre, Bromley, UK Fri, 19th March 2010 - Sat, 20th March 2010 From £16.00*Opera della Luna’s brand new production of Gilbert and Sullivan's first success moves the story from its quaint Victorian setting to sleepy rural Britain in the 1970s. John Wellington Wells, the celebrated dealer in 'magic and spells', spreads chaos and havoc in an unsuspecting country village when he places a powerful aphrodisiac in the village hall teapot. The resulting revelations are indeed 'marvelous illusion, a terrible surprise!'. Opera della Luna have earned themselves a matchless reputation, now celebrating 15 years of acclaimed productions of Gilbert and Sullivan, Offenbach and Johann Strauss touring to theatres all over the UK. Their recent production of Die Fledermaus played to sell-out houses and gained rave reviews. Fun, funky and full of frolics, don’t miss this fresh production of what is probably the most rarely performed of all Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas....
London Coliseum, London, UK Tue, 18th May 2010 - Sat, 10th July 2010 From £20.00*Among the great dramatic sopranos of our time, Catherine Malfitano made an unforgettable ENO debut in 2006 as the tortured Kostelnicka in David Alden's Olivier Award-winning production of Jenůfa. Famed as one of the foremost Toscas of recent decades, she now returns to direct Puccini's ever popular opera with rising star Amanda Echalaz – already heralded as ‘the leading Tosca of her generation' (The Independent) — making her ENO debut in the role that Ms Malfitano once made her own. With one Tosca on stage and another behind the scenes, a radical new design approach and the proven Puccinian passion of Edward Gardner, ENO's Olivier Award-winning Music Director, in the pit, this new production promises to be a thrilling new take on Puccini's most powerfully theatrical opera. Running time: 2hrs 30mins Tosca Amanda Echalaz; Cavaradossi Julian Gavin; Scarpia Anthony Michaels-Moore; Angelotti Pauls Putninš; Sacristan Jonathan Veira; Spoletta Christopher Turner; Sciarrone James Gower Conductor Edward Gardner; Director Catherine Malfitano; Set Designer Frank Philip Schlössmann; Costume Designer Gideon Davey; Lighting Designer David Jacques ...
Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes, UK Tue, 30th March 2010 - Sat, 3rd April 2010 From £17.00*No-one is safe in the Rome of 1800. Under Baron Scarpia corruption and suspicion hang over the city, virtue and humanity are cruelly stamped out. The world of opera singer Floria Tosca is about to be turned upside down. She is suspicious of her lover Mario’s fidelity. Little does she realize that he is at the centre of a struggle that will lead to tragedy. Soon she herself will become the object of Scarpia’s insatiable lust and she will be forced to ask what she has done to deserve this. Once decried as a 'shabby little shocker', Tosca has become one of the best-loved of all operas. The combination of its fast paced plot, high tension and the poignancy of the great arias Vissi d’arte and E lucevan le stelle ensure that Tosca never fails to enthrall. Michael Blakemore’s period set production Welsh National Opera of this pulsating thriller promises to set your emotions on a knife-edge. Cast includes Alwyn Mellor as Floria Tosca, Geraint Dodd as Cavaradossi, Robert Hayward as Scarpia. Sung in Italian with surtitles in English. Co-production with the State Opera of South Australia....
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