New Opera New Futures

Welsh National Opera and the city of Liverpool celebrate longstanding ties by collaborating on The Sacrifice, a brand new opera by James MacMillan.

In October 2007, WNO is bringing one of the most eagerly anticipated opera productions of the year to the Liverpool Empire Theatre. Liverpool Culture Company is the production partner with WNO on The Sacrifice, James MacMillan's extraordinary new opera about the bloody legacy of civil war.

Over eight years in the making, The Sacrifice promises to be a landmark event for theatre and opera audiences in Liverpool. Commissioned by the internationally acclaimed WNO, the three-act opera draws parallels between the armed conflicts of the 20th century and The Mabinogion, the blood soaked legends of a mythical Wales. The acclaimed Scottish composer will conduct just one performance of The Sacrifice at the Liverpool Empire on Tuesday 16 October, as part of the build up to the celebrations in the city in 2008.

Katie Mitchell, Associate Director of the Royal National Theatre, returns to WNO to direct, whilst the five principals rank as some of Britain's finest opera singer-actors. They are Christopher Purves and Peter Hoare, who both performed with WNO in the award-winning Wozzeck; Lisa Milne, who last year won an MBE for her services to opera and music; Leigh Melrose, Scotland's
representative in the 2001 Cardiff Singer of the World competition and Sarah Tynan, who created the role of Iphis in WNO's Jephtha.

The librettist is Michael Symmons Roberts, an award-winning poet and documentary maker. Vicki Mortimer's set references the iconic Holiday Inn in 1990's war-torn Sarajevo.

"In 2008, WNO will have enjoyed the loyalty and support of its Liverpool audience for 40 years, so I'm truly delighted to announce that we will be production partners with Liverpool 2008 on WNO's brand new opera The Sacrifice," says John Fisher, WNO's General Manager.

"It is particularly rewarding to be bringing a world premiere tour to the city during this exciting time in its history. Back in 1968, WNO performed at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool as part of its first major English tour. The Company didn't have its own full-time Orchestra at that point, so the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra accompanied the singers.

"In 2007, we can promise another memorable visit - this time with WNO's renowned Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of one of Britain's most brilliant composers. The staging of a new opera is always an event and the whole Company is looking forward immensely to performing such a thrilling work to Liverpool audiences - some of our most enthusiastic and loyal followers."

Councillor Mike Storey, Executive Member for Special Initiatives at Liverpool City Council, said: 'Over the years Welsh National Opera have become a regular date on Liverpool's artistic calendar and the company have performed a repertoire of work of the highest calibre. We are delighted to be partners in the commissioning of this important new opera for 2007 by the internationally-acclaimed composer, James MacMillan. This work is an example of the kind of ground-breaking production which will delight Liverpool audiences during the city's 800th anniversary year.'

The Sacrifice is one of three productions in an impressive Autumn season from WNO. Rossini's Cinderella (La Cenerentola) is being staged in collaboration with Comediants, one of Europe's most inventive theatre producers. Cinderella will feature spectacular set and costume designs by Joan Guillén - where Vivienne Westwood meets the most outrageous of 18th century aristocrats in a cavalcade of colourful bodice dresses and zany shoes. Marianna Pizzolato makes her UK debut in the title role, whilst Carlo Rizzi, Music Director of WNO, will conduct.

The third production in the season is a revival of Verdi's Il trovatore. The cast includes Dennis O'Neill, who is widely acknowledged to be one of the world's greatest Verdian tenors (and winner of the Verdi medal).

By www.wno.org.uk