6
Peter Maxwell Davies Viktor Ullmann Benjamin Britten Opera that moves Autumn 2012
Peter Maxwell Davies
Viktor Ullmann
Benjamin Britten
Opera that moves
Autumn 2012
Play a part!
Hundredsofpeopleacrossthecountryplayapartinkeepinglive,affordableoperaintheirarea:theyareETO members.ThesupportourmembersgiveeachyearisinvaluabletousandyoutoocansupportETOinyourarea.
Pleasetakeamomenttojoinupasa£50ETOAssociateonline,bypost,oronthetelephone.Showyoursupporttodayandplayyourpartthisseason;thankyou.
Formoreinformationandtojoinnow:www.englishtouringopera.org.uk/support-eto/02078332555
52–54RoseberyAvenueLondonEC1R4RP
[email protected] www.englishtouringopera.org.uk
Facebook:www.facebook.com/englishtouringopera
Twitter:@etopera
CompanyregisteredinEnglandandWalesnumber1458501
Registeredcharitynumber279354
Linbury Studio Theatre Royal Opera House£11–£25.50www.roh.org.uk020 7304 4000
Albert HerringThe Emperor of AtlantisAlbert HerringAlbert HerringThe LighthouseThe Emperor of AtlantisThe Lighthouse
Thursday 4 OctoberFriday 5 OctoberSaturday 6 OctoberWednesday 10 OctoberThursday 11 OctoberFriday 12 OctoberSaturday 13 October
7.45pm7.15pm/8pm7.45pm7.45pm7.45pm7.15pm/8pm7.45pm
West Road Concert Hall Cambridge£12–£35www.adcticketing.com01223 300085
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of AtlantisAlbert Herring
Tuesday 16 OctoberWednesday 17 OctoberThursday 18 OctoberFriday 19 October
7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm7.30pm
Exeter Northcott£18–£31www.exeternorthcott.co.uk01392 493 493
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of AtlantisAlbert Herring
Wednesday 24 OctoberThursday 25 OctoberFriday 26 OctoberSaturday 27 October
7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm7.30pm
Assembly Hall Theatre Tunbridge Wells£19.50–£25.50www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk01892 530613/532072
The Emperor of AtlantisAlbert Herring
Monday 29 OctoberTuesday 30 October
7.30pm/8.15pm7.30pm
Harrogate Theatre£22www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk01423 502 116
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of Atlantis
Thursday 1 NovemberFriday 2 NovemberSaturday 3 November
7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm
Theatre Royal Bath£22.50–£36www.theatreroyal.org.uk01225 448844
Albert HerringThe Lighthouse
Monday 5 NovemberTuesday 6 November
7.30pm7.30pm
Snape Maltings Concert Hall£12–£29www.aldeburgh.co.uk01728 687 110
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of Atlantis
Friday 9 NovemberSaturday 10 NovemberSunday 11 November
7.30pm7.30pm4pm
Malvern Theatres£16–£25Malvern Priory£20www.malvern-theatres.co.uk01684 892277
Albert Herring
The Emperor of Atlantis (semi-staged concert performance)
Tuesday 13 November
Wednesday 14 November
7.30pm
7.30pm/8.15pm
Buxton Opera House£17–£30www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk0845 127 2190
Albert HerringThe Emperor of Atlantis
Friday 16 NovemberSaturday 17 November
7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm
The Emperor of Atlantis will start at 8.15pm (8pm at ROH). This performance will be preceded at 7.30pm (7.15pm at ROH) by Towards an Unknown Port, a 10-minute cycle of songs written by
Helen Chadwick in response to the opera and performed by a local amateur choir, followed by a pre-show talk. Your ticket also entitles you to attend these extra events.
The Emperor of Atlantis will start at 8.15pm. This performance will be preceded at 7.30pm by a free pre-show talk to give further background and context to the issues raised in the opera.
Pre-show talk
Multibuy offers and discounts available. Please check with your local venue for details.
English Touring Opera’snewseasoninAutumn2012issurprising,dramatic,riskyandentertaining.ETOinvitesyoutotryoperasyouhavenotyetexperienced–verydifferenteveningsofmusicandtheatre,eachamasterpiece.
Thissecondcollaborationwiththeaward-winningAurora Orchestraincludesavillagecomedyofmanners(Albert Herring),apsychologicaltwister(The Lighthouse),andapoignanttributetolifeinthefaceofdeath(The Emperor of Atlantis).Themusicalstylesarejustasvarious–rangingfromBritten’swittyensemblesandsharplycharacterisedsongstoMaxwellDavies’evocationofmadnessinalonelylighthouse.Inbetweenaretheravishingmelodies,thedance-likemusichallnumbers,andthegloriouschoraleofViktorUllmann’srarelyperformedopera,smuggledfromaconcentrationcampafterhismurder.
Richandunusualastheseoperasare,theyareallhighlyentertaininginverydifferentways.Forthosenewtoopera–ofallages–theyofferanexciting‘wayin’,throughdrama,danceandsong.Forpeoplewhoalreadyloveopera,hereisachancetoseesomeunusualrepertoire,performedwithcareandexcellencebysuperbsingersandplayers.Thisisoperabeyondthe‘topten’titles–eachonearemarkablerecordofaspecialmomentinthe20thcentury,whenthingschangedforever.
Peter Maxwell Davies
Viktor Ullmann
Benjamin Britten
Opera that moves
Autumn 2012
Play a part!
Hundredsofpeopleacrossthecountryplayapartinkeepinglive,affordableoperaintheirarea:theyareETO members.ThesupportourmembersgiveeachyearisinvaluabletousandyoutoocansupportETOinyourarea.
Pleasetakeamomenttojoinupasa£50ETOAssociateonline,bypost,oronthetelephone.Showyoursupporttodayandplayyourpartthisseason;thankyou.
Formoreinformationandtojoinnow:www.englishtouringopera.org.uk/support-eto/02078332555
52–54RoseberyAvenueLondonEC1R4RP
[email protected] www.englishtouringopera.org.uk
Facebook:www.facebook.com/englishtouringopera
Twitter:@etopera
CompanyregisteredinEnglandandWalesnumber1458501
Registeredcharitynumber279354
Linbury Studio Theatre Royal Opera House£11–£25.50www.roh.org.uk020 7304 4000
Albert HerringThe Emperor of AtlantisAlbert HerringAlbert HerringThe LighthouseThe Emperor of AtlantisThe Lighthouse
Thursday 4 OctoberFriday 5 OctoberSaturday 6 OctoberWednesday 10 OctoberThursday 11 OctoberFriday 12 OctoberSaturday 13 October
7.45pm7.15pm/8pm7.45pm7.45pm7.45pm7.15pm/8pm7.45pm
West Road Concert Hall Cambridge£12–£35www.adcticketing.com01223 300085
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of AtlantisAlbert Herring
Tuesday 16 OctoberWednesday 17 OctoberThursday 18 OctoberFriday 19 October
7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm7.30pm
Exeter Northcott£18–£31www.exeternorthcott.co.uk01392 493 493
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of AtlantisAlbert Herring
Wednesday 24 OctoberThursday 25 OctoberFriday 26 OctoberSaturday 27 October
7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm7.30pm
Assembly Hall Theatre Tunbridge Wells£19.50–£25.50www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk01892 530613/532072
The Emperor of AtlantisAlbert Herring
Monday 29 OctoberTuesday 30 October
7.30pm/8.15pm7.30pm
Harrogate Theatre£22www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk01423 502 116
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of Atlantis
Thursday 1 NovemberFriday 2 NovemberSaturday 3 November
7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm
Theatre Royal Bath£22.50–£36www.theatreroyal.org.uk01225 448844
Albert HerringThe Lighthouse
Monday 5 NovemberTuesday 6 November
7.30pm7.30pm
Snape Maltings Concert Hall£12–£29www.aldeburgh.co.uk01728 687 110
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of Atlantis
Friday 9 NovemberSaturday 10 NovemberSunday 11 November
7.30pm7.30pm4pm
Malvern Theatres£16–£25Malvern Priory£20www.malvern-theatres.co.uk01684 892277
Albert Herring
The Emperor of Atlantis (semi-staged concert performance)
Tuesday 13 November
Wednesday 14 November
7.30pm
7.30pm/8.15pm
Buxton Opera House£17–£30www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk0845 127 2190
Albert HerringThe Emperor of Atlantis
Friday 16 NovemberSaturday 17 November
7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm
The Emperor of Atlantis will start at 8.15pm (8pm at ROH). This performance will be preceded at 7.30pm (7.15pm at ROH) by Towards an Unknown Port, a 10-minute cycle of songs written by
Helen Chadwick in response to the opera and performed by a local amateur choir, followed by a pre-show talk. Your ticket also entitles you to attend these extra events.
The Emperor of Atlantis will start at 8.15pm. This performance will be preceded at 7.30pm by a free pre-show talk to give further background and context to the issues raised in the opera.
Pre-show talk
Multibuy offers and discounts available. Please check with your local venue for details.
English Touring Opera’snewseasoninAutumn2012issurprising,dramatic,riskyandentertaining.ETOinvitesyoutotryoperasyouhavenotyetexperienced–verydifferenteveningsofmusicandtheatre,eachamasterpiece.
Thissecondcollaborationwiththeaward-winningAurora Orchestraincludesavillagecomedyofmanners(Albert Herring),apsychologicaltwister(The Lighthouse),andapoignanttributetolifeinthefaceofdeath(The Emperor of Atlantis).Themusicalstylesarejustasvarious–rangingfromBritten’swittyensemblesandsharplycharacterisedsongstoMaxwellDavies’evocationofmadnessinalonelylighthouse.Inbetweenaretheravishingmelodies,thedance-likemusichallnumbers,andthegloriouschoraleofViktorUllmann’srarelyperformedopera,smuggledfromaconcentrationcampafterhismurder.
Richandunusualastheseoperasare,theyareallhighlyentertaininginverydifferentways.Forthosenewtoopera–ofallages–theyofferanexciting‘wayin’,throughdrama,danceandsong.Forpeoplewhoalreadyloveopera,hereisachancetoseesomeunusualrepertoire,performedwithcareandexcellencebysuperbsingersandplayers.Thisisoperabeyondthe‘topten’titles–eachonearemarkablerecordofaspecialmomentinthe20thcentury,whenthingschangedforever.
Peter Maxwell Davies
Viktor Ullmann
Benjamin Britten
Opera that moves
Autumn 2012
Play a part!
Hundredsofpeopleacrossthecountryplayapartinkeepinglive,affordableoperaintheirarea:theyareETO members.ThesupportourmembersgiveeachyearisinvaluabletousandyoutoocansupportETOinyourarea.
Pleasetakeamomenttojoinupasa£50ETOAssociateonline,bypost,oronthetelephone.Showyoursupporttodayandplayyourpartthisseason;thankyou.
Formoreinformationandtojoinnow:www.englishtouringopera.org.uk/support-eto/02078332555
52–54RoseberyAvenueLondonEC1R4RP
[email protected] www.englishtouringopera.org.uk
Facebook:www.facebook.com/englishtouringopera
Twitter:@etopera
CompanyregisteredinEnglandandWalesnumber1458501
Registeredcharitynumber279354
Linbury Studio Theatre Royal Opera House£11–£25.50www.roh.org.uk020 7304 4000
Albert HerringThe Emperor of AtlantisAlbert HerringAlbert HerringThe LighthouseThe Emperor of AtlantisThe Lighthouse
Thursday 4 OctoberFriday 5 OctoberSaturday 6 OctoberWednesday 10 OctoberThursday 11 OctoberFriday 12 OctoberSaturday 13 October
7.45pm7.15pm/8pm7.45pm7.45pm7.45pm7.15pm/8pm7.45pm
West Road Concert Hall Cambridge£12–£35www.adcticketing.com01223 300085
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of AtlantisAlbert Herring
Tuesday 16 OctoberWednesday 17 OctoberThursday 18 OctoberFriday 19 October
7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm7.30pm
Exeter Northcott£18–£31www.exeternorthcott.co.uk01392 493 493
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of AtlantisAlbert Herring
Wednesday 24 OctoberThursday 25 OctoberFriday 26 OctoberSaturday 27 October
7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm7.30pm
Assembly Hall Theatre Tunbridge Wells£19.50–£25.50www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk01892 530613/532072
The Emperor of AtlantisAlbert Herring
Monday 29 OctoberTuesday 30 October
7.30pm/8.15pm7.30pm
Harrogate Theatre£22www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk01423 502 116
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of Atlantis
Thursday 1 NovemberFriday 2 NovemberSaturday 3 November
7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm
Theatre Royal Bath£22.50–£36www.theatreroyal.org.uk01225 448844
Albert HerringThe Lighthouse
Monday 5 NovemberTuesday 6 November
7.30pm7.30pm
Snape Maltings Concert Hall£12–£29www.aldeburgh.co.uk01728 687 110
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of Atlantis
Friday 9 NovemberSaturday 10 NovemberSunday 11 November
7.30pm7.30pm4pm
Malvern Theatres£16–£25Malvern Priory£20www.malvern-theatres.co.uk01684 892277
Albert Herring
The Emperor of Atlantis (semi-staged concert performance)
Tuesday 13 November
Wednesday 14 November
7.30pm
7.30pm/8.15pm
Buxton Opera House£17–£30www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk0845 127 2190
Albert HerringThe Emperor of Atlantis
Friday 16 NovemberSaturday 17 November
7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm
The Emperor of Atlantis will start at 8.15pm (8pm at ROH). This performance will be preceded at 7.30pm (7.15pm at ROH) by Towards an Unknown Port, a 10-minute cycle of songs written by
Helen Chadwick in response to the opera and performed by a local amateur choir, followed by a pre-show talk. Your ticket also entitles you to attend these extra events.
The Emperor of Atlantis will start at 8.15pm. This performance will be preceded at 7.30pm by a free pre-show talk to give further background and context to the issues raised in the opera.
Pre-show talk
Multibuy offers and discounts available. Please check with your local venue for details.
English Touring Opera’snewseasoninAutumn2012issurprising,dramatic,riskyandentertaining.ETOinvitesyoutotryoperasyouhavenotyetexperienced–verydifferenteveningsofmusicandtheatre,eachamasterpiece.
Thissecondcollaborationwiththeaward-winningAurora Orchestraincludesavillagecomedyofmanners(Albert Herring),apsychologicaltwister(The Lighthouse),andapoignanttributetolifeinthefaceofdeath(The Emperor of Atlantis).Themusicalstylesarejustasvarious–rangingfromBritten’swittyensemblesandsharplycharacterisedsongstoMaxwellDavies’evocationofmadnessinalonelylighthouse.Inbetweenaretheravishingmelodies,thedance-likemusichallnumbers,andthegloriouschoraleofViktorUllmann’srarelyperformedopera,smuggledfromaconcentrationcampafterhismurder.
Richandunusualastheseoperasare,theyareallhighlyentertaininginverydifferentways.Forthosenewtoopera–ofallages–theyofferanexciting‘wayin’,throughdrama,danceandsong.Forpeoplewhoalreadyloveopera,hereisachancetoseesomeunusualrepertoire,performedwithcareandexcellencebysuperbsingersandplayers.Thisisoperabeyondthe‘topten’titles–eachonearemarkablerecordofaspecialmomentinthe20thcentury,whenthingschangedforever.
AmericandirectorTedHuffman’snewproduction,withthreeremarkableactors/operasingers,promisestoholdaudiencesontheedgeoftheirseats.
SunginEnglishFindoutmore,visit:www.bit.ly/etolighthouse
A scintillating evening of high quality entertainment.
Opera Britannia
The most energetic and enterprising operatic company in the country.
The Spectator
In a concentration camp in 1944, an extraordinary opera was created. Though faced with transportation, Viktor Ullmann and his fellow artists made a stylish comedy in which Death, appalled by mass killing, goes on strike. Then there is love and longing – until Emperor Overall agrees to die himself.
This short masterpiece sings of humanity – and though its first performance was banned and its creators murdered, the surviving opera shines.
Influenced by Bach and other German composers, Ullmann’s music also has some of the character of the dance hall. ETO pairs it with a staging of Bach’s extraordinary cantata Christ lag in Todesbanden.
Sung in English translation (Ullmann) and original German with captions (Bach). Find out more, visit: www.bit.ly/etoatlantis
Thank you so much for a wonderful evening and lots of laughter!
Audience member
Peter Maxwell Davies
AnoperathrillerbasedonthetruestoryofthethreeFlannanIslelighthousekeeperswhodisappearedoverChristmas1900,The Lighthouseisalreadyamusictheatreclassic,performedallovertheworld.MaxwellDavies’scorepulsateswithenergyandlight,andconjuresperfectlytheclaustrophobiaofthefogboundisland.
Viktor Ullmann
Britten’shilariouscomedyofvillagelifeisalsoamovingstoryofa‘backward’ladstandingupforhimself.PressuredononehandbyhismotherandothervillageworthiesliketheindomitableLadyBillows(JenniferRhys-Davies),andontheotherhandbyhis‘fast’peers,Albert(MarkWilde)goesfrombeingproclaimedMayKing(or‘mostpromisingvirgin’)tovillagereprobateinaveryfewhoursafterthefête–andfindshisownpathontheway.
ChristopherRolls’newperiodproductionisconductedbyMichaelRosewell.
SunginEnglishFindoutmore,visit:www.bit.ly/etoalbert
Benjamin Britten
AmericandirectorTedHuffman’snewproduction,withthreeremarkableactors/operasingers,promisestoholdaudiencesontheedgeoftheirseats.
SunginEnglishFindoutmore,visit:www.bit.ly/etolighthouse
A scintillating evening of high quality entertainment.
Opera Britannia
The most energetic and enterprising operatic company in the country.
The Spectator
In a concentration camp in 1944, an extraordinary opera was created. Though faced with transportation, Viktor Ullmann and his fellow artists made a stylish comedy in which Death, appalled by mass killing, goes on strike. Then there is love and longing – until Emperor Overall agrees to die himself.
This short masterpiece sings of humanity – and though its first performance was banned and its creators murdered, the surviving opera shines.
Influenced by Bach and other German composers, Ullmann’s music also has some of the character of the dance hall. ETO pairs it with a staging of Bach’s extraordinary cantata Christ lag in Todesbanden.
Sung in English translation (Ullmann) and original German with captions (Bach). Find out more, visit: www.bit.ly/etoatlantis
Thank you so much for a wonderful evening and lots of laughter!
Audience member
Peter Maxwell Davies
AnoperathrillerbasedonthetruestoryofthethreeFlannanIslelighthousekeeperswhodisappearedoverChristmas1900,The Lighthouseisalreadyamusictheatreclassic,performedallovertheworld.MaxwellDavies’scorepulsateswithenergyandlight,andconjuresperfectlytheclaustrophobiaofthefogboundisland.
Viktor Ullmann
Britten’shilariouscomedyofvillagelifeisalsoamovingstoryofa‘backward’ladstandingupforhimself.PressuredononehandbyhismotherandothervillageworthiesliketheindomitableLadyBillows(JenniferRhys-Davies),andontheotherhandbyhis‘fast’peers,Albert(MarkWilde)goesfrombeingproclaimedMayKing(or‘mostpromisingvirgin’)tovillagereprobateinaveryfewhoursafterthefête–andfindshisownpathontheway.
ChristopherRolls’newperiodproductionisconductedbyMichaelRosewell.
SunginEnglishFindoutmore,visit:www.bit.ly/etoalbert
Benjamin Britten
Peter Maxwell Davies
Viktor Ullmann
Benjamin Britten
Opera that moves
Autumn 2012
Play a part!
Hundredsofpeopleacrossthecountryplayapartinkeepinglive,affordableoperaintheirarea:theyareETO members.ThesupportourmembersgiveeachyearisinvaluabletousandyoutoocansupportETOinyourarea.
Pleasetakeamomenttojoinupasa£50ETOAssociateonline,bypost,oronthetelephone.Showyoursupporttodayandplayyourpartthisseason;thankyou.
Formoreinformationandtojoinnow:www.englishtouringopera.org.uk/support-eto/02078332555
52–54RoseberyAvenueLondonEC1R4RP
[email protected] www.englishtouringopera.org.uk
Facebook:www.facebook.com/englishtouringopera
Twitter:@etopera
CompanyregisteredinEnglandandWalesnumber1458501
Registeredcharitynumber279354
Linbury Studio Theatre Royal Opera House£11–£25.50www.roh.org.uk020 7304 4000
Albert HerringThe Emperor of AtlantisAlbert HerringAlbert HerringThe LighthouseThe Emperor of AtlantisThe Lighthouse
Thursday 4 OctoberFriday 5 OctoberSaturday 6 OctoberWednesday 10 OctoberThursday 11 OctoberFriday 12 OctoberSaturday 13 October
7.45pm7.15pm/8pm7.45pm7.45pm7.45pm7.15pm/8pm7.45pm
West Road Concert Hall Cambridge£12–£35www.adcticketing.com01223 300085
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of AtlantisAlbert Herring
Tuesday 16 OctoberWednesday 17 OctoberThursday 18 OctoberFriday 19 October
7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm7.30pm
Exeter Northcott£18–£31www.exeternorthcott.co.uk01392 493 493
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of AtlantisAlbert Herring
Wednesday 24 OctoberThursday 25 OctoberFriday 26 OctoberSaturday 27 October
7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm7.30pm
Assembly Hall Theatre Tunbridge Wells£19.50–£25.50www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk01892 530613/532072
The Emperor of AtlantisAlbert Herring
Monday 29 OctoberTuesday 30 October
7.30pm/8.15pm7.30pm
Harrogate Theatre£22www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk01423 502 116
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of Atlantis
Thursday 1 NovemberFriday 2 NovemberSaturday 3 November
7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm
Theatre Royal Bath£22.50–£36www.theatreroyal.org.uk01225 448844
Albert HerringThe Lighthouse
Monday 5 NovemberTuesday 6 November
7.30pm7.30pm
Snape Maltings Concert Hall£12–£29www.aldeburgh.co.uk01728 687 110
The LighthouseAlbert HerringThe Emperor of Atlantis
Friday 9 NovemberSaturday 10 NovemberSunday 11 November
7.30pm7.30pm4pm
Malvern Theatres£16–£25Malvern Priory£20www.malvern-theatres.co.uk01684 892277
Albert Herring
The Emperor of Atlantis (semi-staged concert performance)
Tuesday 13 November
Wednesday 14 November
7.30pm
7.30pm/8.15pm
Buxton Opera House£17–£30www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk0845 127 2190
Albert HerringThe Emperor of Atlantis
Friday 16 NovemberSaturday 17 November
7.30pm7.30pm/8.15pm
The Emperor of Atlantis will start at 8.15pm (8pm at ROH). This performance will be preceded at 7.30pm (7.15pm at ROH) by Towards an Unknown Port, a 10-minute cycle of songs written by
Helen Chadwick in response to the opera and performed by a local amateur choir, followed by a pre-show talk. Your ticket also entitles you to attend these extra events.
The Emperor of Atlantis will start at 8.15pm. This performance will be preceded at 7.30pm by a free pre-show talk to give further background and context to the issues raised in the opera.
Pre-show talk
Multibuy offers and discounts available. Please check with your local venue for details.
English Touring Opera’snewseasoninAutumn2012issurprising,dramatic,riskyandentertaining.ETOinvitesyoutotryoperasyouhavenotyetexperienced–verydifferenteveningsofmusicandtheatre,eachamasterpiece.
Thissecondcollaborationwiththeaward-winningAurora Orchestraincludesavillagecomedyofmanners(Albert Herring),apsychologicaltwister(The Lighthouse),andapoignanttributetolifeinthefaceofdeath(The Emperor of Atlantis).Themusicalstylesarejustasvarious–rangingfromBritten’swittyensemblesandsharplycharacterisedsongstoMaxwellDavies’evocationofmadnessinalonelylighthouse.Inbetweenaretheravishingmelodies,thedance-likemusichallnumbers,andthegloriouschoraleofViktorUllmann’srarelyperformedopera,smuggledfromaconcentrationcampafterhismurder.
Richandunusualastheseoperasare,theyareallhighlyentertaininginverydifferentways.Forthosenewtoopera–ofallages–theyofferanexciting‘wayin’,throughdrama,danceandsong.Forpeoplewhoalreadyloveopera,hereisachancetoseesomeunusualrepertoire,performedwithcareandexcellencebysuperbsingersandplayers.Thisisoperabeyondthe‘topten’titles–eachonearemarkablerecordofaspecialmomentinthe20thcentury,whenthingschangedforever.
