autumn 2011 festival of baroque opera

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Autumn 2011 also touring j. s. Bach Buxtehude Gesualdo

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English Touring Opera follows up the enormous success of the 2009 Handelfest with another, more diverse exploration of baroque music and theatre. More information at: www.englishtouringopera.org.uk

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Page 1: Autumn 2011 Festival of Baroque Opera

Autumn 2011

also touringj.s. BachBuxtehudeGesualdo

Page 2: Autumn 2011 Festival of Baroque Opera

Welcome to eto’s baroque festival

English Touring Opera wanted to follow up the enormous success of the 2009 Handelfest with another, more diverse exploration of baroque music and theatre.

This touring festival is a real invitation to set aside a few days of your life for the pure pleasure of baroque opera and music: to enjoy comic operas from the beginning and end of Handel’s career in England (probably the high point of opera in the country), and to take the rare chance to hear one of Henry Purcell’s very English works for theatre; to taste the lesser known, richly flavoured church-theatre of Gesualdo and Buxtehude, or the wonderful vocal works of j.s. Bach.

The festival has something for everyone – and it takes place in beautiful cities and towns across Britain, offering many wonderful, historical attractions, including English Cathedrals which are the wonders of our island. By all means sample – these are friendly operas, as charming to the first time opera-goer as they are rich for the dedicated fan – but if you can, benefit from the whole festival, including the talks, recitals and masterclasses that will be announced on our website.

James ConwayGeneral DirectorEnglish Touring Opera

Page 3: Autumn 2011 Festival of Baroque Opera

Flavio was a runaway success for eto in 2009. Mixing comedy and tragedy, and set in the corrupt, sensuous court of Lombardy, it follows the fortunes of two pairs of star crossed lovers, trapped in the bitter rivalry between families. James Conway’s subtle, highly choreographed production, in Joanna Parker’s chromatic blue sets, pays equal attention to all the character’s deeply-felt emotions, grand or apparently trivial. Paula Sides, Clint van der Linde and Andrew Slater – each praised for their sharply-edged characterisations in 2009 – return for this revival of a rarely-performed jewel of the 18th century, performed in lavish period costume.

touring to london, bathcambridgelincolnharrogatehigh wycombeexeter and malvern

This is eto at its best. The Telegraph

Director James Conway perfectly hits the mark with his vibrant production. The Independent

Vocally it’s exceptionally strong. The Guardian

Fabulous productions, wonderful singing, a real treat. Paula Whiteside, audience member

Watch a 2-minute trailer online: http://englishtouringopera.org.uk/productions/flavio

HandelFlavio

Page 4: Autumn 2011 Festival of Baroque Opera

HandelXerxes

Xerxes is one of Handel’s celebrated masterpieces. Unusually, it is a comedy in the Venetian style, with many short arias (including the well known ‘Ombra mai fu’) and ensembles, and a number of comic characters – but with all the trials of love and jealousy vividly described. This new production – in Nicholas Hytner’s stylish English translation – recasts the Persian king as a glamorous prince-turned-pilot in the Battle of Britain, jealous of his brother’s stronger sex appeal. Laura Mitchell (eto’s recent Countess in The Marriage of Figaro) plays Romilda, the society girl who entertains the forces and the errant prince Xerxes (played by Julia Riley, eto’s much-praised Sextus in La clemenza di Tito). Jonathan Peter Kenny conducts eto’s associate period orchestra, the Old Street Band, in a lively performance of Handel’s splendid, varied score.

Laura Mitchell comes into her own with the most accomplished portrayal of the Countess .[in eto’s The Marriage of Figaro, Spring 2010] The Times

There was some impressively passionate characterisation in the show, especially from a scorching Julia Riley’s fiercely-ardent Sextus.[in eto’s La clemenza di Tito, Spring 2011] The Herald

An astonishing standard throughout. Bob Elston, audience member

Watch a video interview with stage designer Sarah Bacon: http://englishtouringopera.org.uk/productions/xerxes

touring to londonbuxtoncambridgelincolnharrogatesnape, exeter and malvern

Page 5: Autumn 2011 Festival of Baroque Opera

buxtehudeMembra Jesu Nostri

eto is staging a production of the extraordinary masterpiece Membra Jesu Nostri, a set of seven cantatas for voices and period orchestra (a unique collaboration with gifted young singers and players from the Royal College of Music) by Bach’s great contemporary Buxtehude.Setting a 13th century poem together with visceral texts from the Bible to music, it focuses on seven parts of the crucified body of Christ – hence the title, ‘the limbs of our Jesus’. Equally devotional and theatrical, it is one of the most inspiring pieces of music of the 17th century, and its text poses fascinating questions about language, the body and evangelism.

Sung in Latin

j.s. bachCantata Nos. 154, 156, 54 & 159

eto is combining forces with local choirs for concerts of some of Bach’s most beautiful cantatas. eto soloists and period players from the Old Street Band will perform cantatas no. 154 (Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren; My Dearest Jesus Is Lost), 156 (Ich steh’ mit einem Fuss im Grabe; I Stand with One Foot in the Grave), 54 (Widerstehe doch der Sünde; Just Resist Sin) and 159 (Sehet, wir gehen hinauf gen Jerusalem; Come, Let Us Go up to Jerusalem). Bach’s inspiring choruses will be sung by very diverse local choirs in some wonderful heritage churches.

Sung in German

gesualdo Tenebrae

Carlo Gesualdo was a prince, a murderer, and an intensely expressive composer: his madrigals and motets use a chromatic language that is utterly distinctive – even to the modern ear, his work is bizarre and compelling. eto plans a series of atmospheric concerts of his motets, and in particular his vivid tenebrae music, performed by six male voices; this music for voices only will be performed with readings from the composer’s impassioned letters, and from the transcript of his murder trial.

Sung in Latin

j. s. BachBuxtehudeGesualdo

Extra events in your area

touring tolondonbuxton cambridgelincolnharrogatedevonmalvern andgloucester

For festival tips and local secrets, including more information about hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions, visit our website: www.englishtouringopera.org.uk

Glorious! Pure entertainment, you could feel the delight bouncing from audience to stage @RichardBratby on Twitter

Listen to a selection of music by Bach, Buxtehude and Gesualdo online at: http://bit.ly/kTqfU8

Page 6: Autumn 2011 Festival of Baroque Opera

PurcellThe Fairy

Queen

Purcell’s The Fairy Queen (1692) is a strange, delicate masque recreating the enchanted world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Thomas Guthrie has long been fascinated by this ethereal opera; his latest production, influenced by the English Victorian painter Richard Dadd, imagines the story set in a military convalescent hospital. Simply and elegantly designed by Roger Butlin, the production includes dancers and aerialists alongside singers. It is a joyous production, filled with fantasy and craft. A cast including Mark Wilde (eto’s Tamino and Tito in recent Mozart productions) will do full justice to Purcell’s haunting lively airs, including ‘One Charming Night’, the ‘Plaint’ and the Song of the ‘Drunken Poet’.

[Guthrie’s] …astonishing production of Purcell’s Fairy Queen was a hugely enjoyable fusion of music, drama, puppetry and acrobatics. If there’s more to come as exhilarating as this, I’ll be first in the queue. Evening Standard

Watch a video interview with director Thomas Guthrie:http://englishtouringopera.org.uk/productions/the-fairy-queen

touring to london, bath, buxton cambridgelincoln harrogate high wycombesnape, exeter and malvern

Page 7: Autumn 2011 Festival of Baroque Opera

TourSchedule

london05 oct Buxtehudevenue Holy Trinity Church, sw1 time 7.30pm price £1212 oct Director’s Cutprice Free (call to reserve) time 6.00pmvenue Royal College of Music (rcm)06 oct The Fairy Queen •08 oct Xerxes •10 oct Xerxes •11 oct The Fairy Queen •13 oct Xerxes •14 oct Flavio •15 oct Flavio •venue Royal College of Music (rcm)time 7.30pm price £10–£36box office 020 7833 2555www.englishtouringopera.org.uk

bath17 oct The Fairy Queen •18 oct Flavio •venue Theatre Royaltime 7.30pm price £22.50–£36 box office 01225 448844www.theatreroyal.org.uk

buxton20 oct The Fairy Queen • 21 oct Xerxes • venue Buxton Opera House time 7.30pm price £16.50–£32.5022 oct j.s. Bach venue St John’s Churchtime 7.30pm price £12 box office 0845 127 2190www.boh.org.uk

cambridge19 oct Buxtehudevenue Jesus College Chapel time 7.30pm price £5box office 01223 3000 85www.adcticketing.com26 oct Xerxes • 27 oct The Fairy Queen • 28 oct Flavio • venue West Road Concert Halltime 7.30pm price £10-£50box office 020 7833 2555 www.englishtouringopera.org.uk

lincoln28 oct Buxtehudevenue St Nicholas Churchtime 7.30pm price £829 oct j.s. Bachvenue St Nicholas Churchtime 2pm price £829 oct The Fairy Queen • 30 oct Flavio • 31 oct Xerxes • venue Theatre Royaltime 7.30pm price £18–£25

01 nov GesualdoWren Library, Lincoln Cathedraltime 7.30pm price £7.50box office 01522 519999 www.lincolntheatreroyal.com

harrogate03 nov The Fairy Queen • 04 nov Flavio • 05 nov Xerxes • venue Harrogate Theatretime 7.30pm price £2206 nov j.s. Bach venue St Wilfrid’s Church time 7.30pm price £8box office 01423 502116www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk

high wycombe07 nov Flavio • 08 nov The Fairy Queen • venue Swan Theatretime 7.30pm price £18.50–£31.50box office 01494 512 000www.wycombeswan.co.uk

snape11 nov The Fairy Queen • 12 nov Xerxes • venue Snape Maltings Concert Halltime 7.30pm price £12–29box office 01728 687 110www.aldeburgh.co.uk

devon & exeter15 nov Buxtehude venue Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleightime 7.30pm price £12

16 nov Flavio • 17 nov The Fairy Queen • 18 nov Xerxes19 nov Xerxes • venue Northcott Theatretime 7.30pm price £17–£3019 nov, Gesualdovenue Southernhay United Reformed Churchtime 4pm price £7.5020 nov j.s. Bachvenue Holy Cross Church, Crediton time 3pm price £8box office 01392 493 493www.exeternorthcott.co.uk malvern & gloucester22 nov Buxtehude venue Gloucester Cathedral time 7.30pm price £1223 nov Flavio • 24 nov Xerxes 25 nov Xerxes • 26 nov The Fairy Queen • venue Malvern Theatrestime 7.30pm (24 nov: 7pm) price £16–2524 nov Gesualdovenue Malvern Theatrestime 10pm price £7.5026 nov j.s. Bach venue Great Malvern Priorytime 2.30pm price £8box office 01684 892 277www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

• Pre Show TalkAll operas sung in English

Multi-buy offers and discounts available, check with your local venue for details.

Page 8: Autumn 2011 Festival of Baroque Opera

Get closer to eto: Xerxes Syndicate

Design & Illustrationwww.uncannyeditions.com

Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri concert held at Jesus College Chapel by kind permission of the Master and Fellows.

This season, eto is offering the unique opportunity for you to join us at every step in the creation of a new production: Handel’s Xerxes. Members of eto’s Xerxes Syndicate will be given exclusive access to talks with James Conway (Director) and Ann Murray dbe (Patron), set model and costume design presentations, working rehearsals, and finally the opening performance including post-show reception with the cast.

This is a wonderful and unusual experience for any opera-lover to be involved with the creative process and the artists who create it – we look forward to welcoming you.

The Xerxes Syndicate is limited to 25 people, each supporting the production with a suggested donation of £1,000. If you would like to join or find out more please contact Johnny Langridge, Development Associate: t 020 7833 2555 [email protected]

English Touring Opera Ltd. Registered Office: Hanover House, London w1s 1hp. Registered in England and Wales Company no: 1458501 Registered Charity no: 279354

Page 9: Autumn 2011 Festival of Baroque Opera

www.englishtouringopera.org.uk

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English Touring Opera, 52–54 Rosebery Avenue, London ec1r [email protected] 020 7833 2555