| Opera
productions & classical performances |
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ROMEO
ET JULIETTE (Opera North)
at
the Lowry Theatre (Lyric Theatre) |
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| Tuesday
10th and Friday 13th June 2008 - 7.15pm |
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Gounod’s most successful opera after Faust
is also one of his least conventional works. Although
he generates much excitement in the clashes between
the feuding Montague and Capulet families, Gounod
keeps the opera tightly focussed on the lovers,
for whom he composed a succession of magnificent
duets. John Fulljames, who staged an imaginative
Hansel and Gretel for the Company in various concert
halls last year, directs two young stars-in-the-making
in the title roles. Sang in Italian with English
titles. (back
to top) |
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to
book by phone, call |
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lyric
theatre |
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also recommend... |
0844
847 2277 |
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MACBETH
(Opera North)
at
the Lowry (Lyric Theatre) |
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| Wednesday
11th and Saturday 14th June 2008 - 7.15pm |
| Verdi’s
Macbeth is the first of three new productions
based on the plays of Shakespeare. Tim Albery
directs his first Verdi opera for the Company
since his intelligent and imaginative Don Carlos
in 1993. Opera North’s music director, Richard
Farnes, conducts. The title role, widely regarded
as one of the great early Verdi baritone roles,
is sung by Robert Hayward. Tenor Peter Auty will
sing the role of Macduff and Peter Wedd the role
of Malcolm. Sung in Italian with English titles.
Performance 2 hours and 45 minutes approx.
(back
to top) |
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to
book by phone, call |
|
lyric
theatre |
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we
also recommend... |
0844
847 2277 |
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A
MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Opera North) at
the Lowry Theatre (Lyric Theatre) |
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| Thursday
12th June 2008 - 7.15pm |
| At
the Lyric Theatre: Martin Duncan, who has been
responsible for directing some of Opera North’s
most enjoyable productions in the past, including
Orpheus in the Underworld and Jonathan Dove’s
The Adventures of Pinocchio in the Winter season,
directs a new production of Benjamin Britten’s
gloriously melodic opera A Midsummer Night’s
Dream. A cast of fine young singers includes the
British counter tenor James Laing as Oberon. Jeni
Bern, the young Scottish soprano, sings the role
of Tytania. The production is conducted by Stuart
Stratford, who made his debut for Opera North
conducting Pagliacci at Sadler’s Wells in
the Eight Little Greats season. Joining Martin,
Johan and Bruno on the production team is costume
designer Ashley Martin Davies. Sung in English.
Performance 2 hours 45 minutes approx. (back
to top) |
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to
book by phone, call |
|
lyric
theatre |
|
we
also recommend... |
0844
847 2277 |
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CHINESE
ACROBATIC SWAN LAKE (Lowry
Theatre) |
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| Wednesday
30th July to Saturday 2nd August 2008 - 7.30pm |
| To
truly appreciate the incredible mixture of dance
and acrobatics in this performance, watch
a clip here. Swan Lake gets a radical makeover
from a unique Chinese company, thrilling audiences
worldwide. By combining classical ballet and traditional
acrobatics, The Guandong Acrobatic Company have
turned ballet on its head and created a spectacular
new interpretation of the greatest classical ballet
of all time. In this fresh and original adaptation
of Swan Lake, a European prince falls in love
with a Chinese swan, and performers use acrobatics
and their very considerable talents as classical
dancers to tell the story. Pole balancing, jumping
through fire hoops, rope walking, ball walking
and jujitsu are all seamlessly woven into the
story, and there is constant blurring of performance
styles, including not only ballet and acrobatics
but also elements of Peking Opera. Acrobatic Swan
Lake includes Black Swans dancing on high wires
and scenes in which the White Swan dances en pointe
on top of the Prince’s head and shoulders
and another in which the famous dance of four
little swans is transformed into a performance
of four little frogs, played by men who do the
entire dance on their arms. This breathtakingly
magical production must be seen to be believed.
There is a 2.30pm matinee on the Saturday. (back
to top) |
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|
to
book by phone, call |
|
lyric
theatre |
|
we
also recommend... |
0844
847 2277 |
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TOSCA
(Ellen Kent International) (Opera
House) |
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| Wednesday
26th November 2008 - 7.15pm |
| Verdi's
Tosca performed by Ellen Kent Opera International.
Love, torture and treachery is set against the
backdrop of Rome at its bloodiest, with the famous
arias Vissi d'Arte and E Lucevan le Stelle. With
two of the best roles for tenor and soprano, plus
a truly blood curdling villain for the baritone,
this production features a large cast and full
orchestra, within a specially devised cathedral
setting in Act 1. (back
to top) |
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to
book by phone, call |
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manchester
opera house |
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we
also recommend... |
0844
847 2277 |
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LA
BOHEME (Ellen Kent International) |
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| Thursday
27th and Friday 28th November 2008 - 7.15pm |
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At the Opera House, Manchester
- La Bohème is one of the most romantic
operas ever written. This is a classic tale of
Parisian love and loss, boasting many famous arias
including Your Tiny Hand is Frozen, They Call
Me Mimi, and Muzetta’s Waltz. The set reflects
the Bohemian art of the late 19th Century, with
a stunning Cubist design backdrop and costumes
by one of Russia’s leading designers Alexandr
Krivoshein who has worked at the Bolshoi and Kirov.
The carnival scene will include dancers and street
entertainers providing fantastic colour and recreating
the romantic atmosphere of this Parisian love
story. (back
to top) |
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to
book by phone, call |
|
manchester
opera house |
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we
also recommend... |
0844
847 2277 |
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CARMEN
(Ellen Kent International) (Opera
House) |
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| Saturday
29th November 2008 - 7.15pm |
| One
of the most famous and seductive operas of all
time, Bizet’s irresistibly emotional Carmen
guarantees an evening of passion and romance,
this dazzling production features Bizet’s
unforgettable melodies including the best known
baritone aria of all, The Toreador’s Song.
Carmen also includes a replica of Seville ’s
main square with gypsy dancers, fountains, flowers
and orange trees. Sung in French with English
surtitles. Special appearances by Heather Shipp
as Carmen currently singing at the Royal Opera
House, Covent Garden this autumn. Starring Louis,
the majestic black stallion from the Royal Opera
House’s Carmen and a donkey from the Elisabeth
Svendsen Trust. Cast and animals subject to change.
(back
to top) |
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|
to
book by phone, call |
|
manchester
opera house |
|
we
also recommend... |
0844
847 2277 |
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