Monday, May 09, 2011

Shakespeare at the The Royal Opera House and beyond.

The Royal Opera House have been in touch about two new Shakespeare related shows, "two vibrant and energetic productions of Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet". They say they're "very interested in attracting both old and new audiences, and particularly interesting is the wonderfully inventive and atmospheric interpretation of familiar Shakespeare’s stories in opera and ballet, which we would love audiences to experience."

Verdi's Macbeth appears in their own House, while R&J is taking up residence at The 02. See below for the relevant press releases:


MACBETH
Giuseppe Verdi
24, 27, 30 MAY, 3, 6, 10, 13, 15 JUNE AT 7.30PM / 18 JUNE AT 7PM

Phyllida Lloyd’s production of Verdi’s Macbeth (1865), new in 2002, returns for its second revival. Designs are by Anthony Ward, lighting by Paule Constable and choreography by Michael Keegan Dolan.

The Royal Opera’s Music Director Antonio Pappano conducts Verdi’s Macbeth for the first time at Covent Garden.

Singing the title role of Macbeth is British baritone Simon Keenlyside, a role he has also sang in Vienna. He made his debut with The Royal Opera in 1989 as Silvio (I Pagliacci) and was most recently heard with the company as Rodrigo (Don Carlo) in 2009. His previous roles at Covent Garden also include Pelléas (Pelléas et Mélisande), Oreste (Iphigénie en Tauride) and the title role in Don Giovanni.

The role of Lady Macbeth will be sung by Ukranian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska, who made her debut with The Royal Opera in the title role of Aida. She recently sang the title role of Tosca in Berlin in 2010, and she made her debut at the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago also in the title role of Tosca.

American bass Raymond Aceto sings the role of Banquo, a role he has previously sung in Chicago. He made his Royal Opera debut in December 2005 singing Don Basilio (Il barbiere di Siviglia), and has returned to sing Sparafucile (Rigoletto), Ferrando (Il trovatore) and Nourabad in a concert performance of Les Pêcheurs des perles for The Royal Opera.

American tenor Dmitri Pittas makes his Covent Garden debut in the role of Macduff, which he recently sang in Chicago, Vienna and Munich. Recently he also performed the role of Edgardo (Lucia di Lammermoor) in Frankfurt, Rodolfo (La bohème) in Dresden and Alfredo (La traviata) in Berlin.

Jette Parker Young Artist British soprano Elisabeth Meister sings the role of Lady-in-Waiting. She made her debut with The Royal Opera as Pale Lady (The Gambler) in 2010 and has also sung the Fox (The Cunning Little Vixen), High Priestess (Aida) and First Lady (Die Zauberflöte).

Making his role debut as Malcolm is American tenor and Jette Parker Young Arist Steven Ebel. He made his Royal Opera debut in 2009 as Victorin / Voice of Gaston (Die tote Stadt), and his other roles for The Royal Opera include Rimenes (Artaxerxes), Major-Domo (Der Rosenkavalier) and Albazar (Il turco in Italia). Earlier in the Season, he sang Jacquino (Fidelio).

Polish bass Lukas Jakobski, a Jette Parker Young Artist, makes his role debut as the Doctor. He made his debut with The Royal Opera as Flemish Deputy (Don Carlos) in 2009 and has since played Tall Englishman (The Gambler), Pietro (Simon Boccanegra), Count Ceprano (Rigoletto) and the King of Egypt (Aida) for The Royal Opera.

INSIGHT AFTERNOON: MACBETH
14 May at 2.30pm
Supported by the Paul Hamlyn Education Fund

Verdi’s ability to catch theatrical colour and powerful drama in his music is second to none. Antonio Pappano, Music Director of the Royal Opera, and guests from the cast and production team explain the power of Verdi’s music.

£19.40 (£7.10 students)
Clore Studio Upstairs


BREATHTAKING BALLET:
THE ROYAL BALLET TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT THE O2


This summer, audiences will be able to see The Royal Ballet as it has never been seen before when it dances a special production of Romeo and Juliet at The O2.

For four nights in June, The Royal Ballet will perform to a 9,000 strong crowd – the first time ballet has been seen on such a scale in the UK. Packed audiences will be able to see the action not only on a stage at the front of the arena but also via huge, televised screens more usually seen at rock concerts.

Stars of The Royal Ballet will perform Kenneth MacMillan’s heart-breaking production of Romeo and Juliet which has wowed audiences at Covent Garden for more than 40 years. Powerfully emotional, it brings the full force of the classic love-story to life, leaving the star-crossed lovers as the fatal victims in its wake.

With over 60 dancers and actors, a live orchestra and specially filmed sequences to enhance the drama on stage, this will be a show unlike any other.

Dame Monica Mason, Director of The Royal Ballet said of the announcement:
“I am delighted that The Royal Ballet is going to have this opportunity to showcase its talent on such a huge scale. The dancers at The Royal Ballet are some of the best in the world and are all at the absolute height of their talent. Romeo and Juliet is a signature work of the Company and the prospect of bringing it to The O2 to share with audiences on such an unprecedented scale is incredible.”

Tickets are on general sale now.
Friday 17 June at 7.30pm
Saturday 18 June at 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Sunday 19 June at 7.30pm
Prices: £10 - £60
Superseats: £95

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