Welsh National Opera performs in Cardiff and Birmingham this summer. Among the collaborators on a diverse programme of events are twelve contemporary dancers, leading Welsh architect Jonathan Adams and Carlo Rizzi, Grammy Award nominee and WNO's Music Director.
A major collaboration between an architect, a company of dancers, guest soloists and the Chorus and Orchestra of WNO forms the centrepiece of the Summer season in both cities. Jonathan Adams, the architect behind WNO's home in Wales Millennium Centre, designs a multi-purpose set for a new staging of The Seven Deadly Sins, Brecht and Weill's sung ballet (ballet chanté). The production is a collaboration between WNO and Diversions The Dance Company of Wales. It features costumes by Paul Shriek inspired by an eclectic range of sources, from Kylie Minogue to disco glitz seen in the 1980's feature film Dirty Dancing. The choreographer is Roy Campbell-Moore.
This acclaimed hybrid of song and dance was written on the eve of the Second World War, but is here updated with a set that incorporates peep show trimmings and a reality TV studio. Scottish soprano Marie McLaughlin gives voice to the extraordinary journey undertaken by the central character of Anna.
It forms part of a double bill with Willy Decker's production of Bartók's Duke Bluebeard's Castle, the first full staging in Cardiff of one of the 20th century's most enduring operas, originally seen at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Sara Fulgoni and Andrea Silvestrelli sing the roles of Judith and the Duke respectively. Sara Fulgoni has recently sung the title role of Carmen for WNO, whilst Andrea Silvestrelli sang the role of the King in the Company's production of Verdi's epic Don Carlos. Willy Decker is the much acclaimed opera director who had a resounding success at the 2005 Salzburg Festival with La Traviata - also conducted by Carlo Rizzi.
Carlo Rizzi conducts the majority of works during the summer season in both Cardiff and Birmingham, including the double bill. He will also be conducting two concert performances, the first such concerts to be performed at WMC and Birmingham Hippodrome. The concert performances are: Berlioz's magnificent 'dramatic legend' The Damnation of Faust and a double bill made up of Verdi's Four Sacred Pieces and Walton's Belshazzar's Feast. Soloists appearing in Faust are Alastair Miles, Ann Murray and Massimo Giordano. Polish baritone Adam Kruszewski shares the role of Mephistopheles with Alastair Miles. Robert Hayward, who sang the title role in WNO's award-winning Mazepa, is the guest soloist in Belshazzar's Feast, which also features a 120-strong community choir recruited from across Cardiff and Birmingham.
There are also performances of Bizet's Carmen with Imelda Drumm taking on the title role. She is joined by Charlotte Ellett, who will sing in WNO's production of La bohème at the prestigious Hong Kong Arts Festival in Spring 2007. Carmen is sponsored by Atradius.
"The summer is traditionally associated with going on a journey and we want our audiences to experience that same sense of anticipation and excitement when the come to see us perform," explains John Fisher, General Director of WNO. "Experiment is at the heart of what we are doing and I'm also delighted to see two special events devised, one for each of our summer destinations.
"In Cardiff, audiences can enjoy Land, Sea, Sky, WNO's trilogy of bi-lingual chamber operas for families and young people based on wildlife and conservation themes. Whilst in Birmingham, 200 school children perform City Songs alongside the full Orchestra of WNO, a new cycle of songs they have written revealing their thoughts and hopes for their city."
"I am greatly looking forward to a season that is special in so many ways," adds Carlo Rizzi, Music Director of WNO. "It is a particular showcase for the world-class talents of the Orchestra and Chorus, who are always at the forefront of WNO's performing activities. It is also the first time we have worked in collaboration with another resident company at WMC, creating an exciting new production of The Seven Deadly Sins.
"Another highlight of this season is the way in which WNO is reinforcing its ties with audiences in both cities by performing with local people in Walton's great choral piece, Belshazzar's Feast. It is an occasion to hear new works led by members of WNO, but performed with the community and for the community. All this in two wonderful performance spaces where WNO doesn't just stage operas, but explores, in many different ways, how to bring opera to the people."
Other highlights of the Cardiff season include Twenty Men Singing, a semi-staged musical exploring the 101 reasons why men sing (and when). Twenty Men Singing is supported by The Kobler Trust. Whilst in Birmingham, the Orchestra of WNO will perform a concert at Symphony Hall with the renowned soprano Angela Gheorghui on Tuesday 1 May. -- www.wno.org.uk
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
