SPOT LIGHT

GUIDE TO NEW PRODUCTIONS & OPERA HIGHLIGHTS MAY-MAY 2017

UK

DON’T MISS

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at the Royal Opera House Kasper Holten, takes his final bow as the ROH’s director of opera after a patchy few years of palpable hits and miserable misses. He’s an experienced Wagnerian – though this one needs a lightness of touch. Initial publicity stills seem to suggest a modern ‘X Factor’ approach… Bryn Terfel reprises the role of Hans Sachs.

The Exterminating Angel at the Royal Opera House Tom Adès’ latest full-length opera, based on a Luis Buñuel film, proved to be hit at its world premiere in Salzburg last summer. A macabre tragedy of social manners, the opera tells the story of a group of characters trapped together at a hellish house-party. The eclectic score is endlessly fascinating, and Tom Cairns’ libretto keeps the action tight, like a well-wrought thriller.

English Touring Opera’s Spring Tour, featuring two classics from very different genres. Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience is among the duo’s finest and funniest satires, poking fun at the aesthetic movement of the 1890s, as exemplified by Oscar Wilde and his ilk. Puccini’s Tosca needs little introduction: this revival of Tim Carroll’s production has the intense, dark-voiced Julie Unwin returning to the title role.

BELFAST

NI OPERA

+44 28 9024 1919, www.niopera.com

La bohème Puccini Concert performances Rafael Payare (cond)

Apr 28 to 29

CARDIFF

WELSH NATIONAL OPERA

+44 08700 40 2000, www.wno.org.uk

Die Fledermaus J Strauss Tomáš Hanus (cond) John Copley (dir)

May 20 to Jun 16

Der Rosenkavalier Strauss Tomáš Hanus (cond) Olivia Fuchs (dir)

3 to 17 Jun

GLASGOW

SCOTTISH OPERA

+44 141 331 1234, www.scottishopera.org.uk

Bluebeard’s Castle Bartók / The Eighth Door Paterson Sian Edwards (cond) Matthew Lenton (dir)

Mar 28 to Apr 1

La bohème Puccini Stuart Stratford / Derek Clark (cond) Renaud Doucet (dir)

May 9 to 20

LEEDS

OPERA NORTH

+44 113 222 6222, www.operanorth.co.uk

Turandot Puccini Concert performances Aleksandar Markovic (cond)

Apr 28 to May 12

LONDON

ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA

+44 20 7632 8300, www.eno.org

The Winter’s Tale Wigglesworth Ryan Wigglesworth (cond) Rory Kinnear (dir)

Continues to Mar 14

The Pirates of Penzance Sullivan Gareth Jones (cond) Mike Leigh (dir)

Continues to Mar 25

Partenope Handel Christian Curnyn (cond) Christopher Alden (dir)

Mar 15 to 24

LONDON

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

+44 20 7304 4000, www.roh.org.uk

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Wagner Antonio Pappano (cond) Kasper Holten (dir)

Mar 11 to 31

Madama Butterfly Puccini Antonio Pappano / Renato Balsadonna (cond) Moshe Leiser, Patrice Caurier (dir)

Mar 20 to Apr 25

The Exterminating Angel Adès Thomas Adès (cond) Tom Cairns (dir)

Apr 24 to May 8

Don Carlo Verdi Bertrand de Billy (cond) Nicholas Hytners (dir) May

12 to 29

L’elisir d’amore Donizetti Conductor Bertrand de Billy Director Laurent Pelly

May 27 to Jun 22

GALA BENEFIT CONCERT: SINGING FOR STEFANO

A star-studded gala concert is being organised to support New Zealand soprano Anna Leese and her family. Last year shortly before the birth of their son, Anna’s husband Stefano was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of motor neurone disease and has been given two years to live. Stefano is already facing many frightening challenges, which require great emotional, physical and financial support. This is vividly described in Anna’s blog (a link is on the website below).

The concert, Singing for Stefano, will be hosted by renowned baritone Sir Thomas Allen with many other star singers and musicians including Sophie Bevan, Sarah Castle, Bryan Evans, Alisdair Hogarth, Jacques Imbrailo, Jennifer Johnston, Gary Matthewman, Madeleine Pierard and Wendy Dawn Thompson. The concert aims to raise £25,000 and will take place in Milton Court in the Barbican at 7pm on Saturday 8 April.

In addition to Sir Thomas, this appeal is being supported by the celebrated tenor José Carreras, ENO President Sir Vernon Ellis, and the New Zealand High Commissioner, Sir Lockwood Smith and his wife Alexandra.

Les Azuriales Opera is helping organise the concert as Anna is an alumna of its Young Artist programme.

Visit the website for more details and to buy tickets or donate: www.azurialopera.com/stefano