English Touring Opera returns to the Everyman
Spring Season of Comedy
Acclaimed opera company, English Touring Opera return to the Everyman this Spring with three of the wittiest works in the repertoire. These very different operas find comedy in stifling Sevillian manor houses, in enchanted woods and in dusty bachelors’ quarters.
Mozart’s ever popular The Marriage of Figaro traces the intrigues of one day at the house of Count Almaviva. Figaro is to marry the maid Susanna, favourite of the Count and Opera’s most charming heroine, here played by Eliana Praetorian. Before Figaro can be finally united with his bride, he must overcome every obstacle put in his way by the Count and his cronies. This elegant, period costume production is set in the stifling heat of 18th century Seville and features some of Mozart’s most beautiful and familiar music.
Donizetti’s Don Pasquale is a comedy with zest, cream and an Italian accent – think zabaglione!
This is a brand new production, directed by William Oldroyd with Keel Watson playing Don Pasquale, a stubborn, competitive, old bachelor – and in this version, a tyrannic orchestral conductor. He wants to procure a young wife and seems set to steal from his nephew, a beautiful and apparently submissive bride – but his clumsy wooing turns to painful woe when she reveals her own mind.
And last, but not least, Benjamin Britten’s stunningly beautiful version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. First produced in 2004 to huge critical acclaim, this is one of ETO’s most successful masterpieces. In a fairy-haunted wood, lovers’ knots are tangled and strange dreams create monstrous romances. Michael Rosewell conducts Britten’s eerie, highly theatrical score, with a cast led by Jonathan Peter Kenny and Andrew Slater.
To accompany Britten’s opera, ETO has produced The Starry Welkin, a truly enchanting and imaginative version of Britten’s Shakespearean opera, specially written for children. Suitable for youngsters aged 4 – 7, this is an ideal and highly entertaining introduction to the key orchestral instruments and also to opera and Shakespeare and makes a perfect family outing during the Easter break.
All operas are sung in English.
ENGLISH TOURING OPERA
Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ
Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 April
Tue 6 & Fri 9, 7.30pm Don Pasquale (Donizetti)
Wed 7 & Thu 8, 7.30pm The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
Thu 8, 2pm The Starry Welkin – Family Performance
Sat 10, 7.30pm A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Britten)
Tickets: The Starry Welkin: £2 children, £3 adults. For all other operas: £14 - £25
Explore Gloucestershire
20 March 2010
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