English National Opera (ENO) has announced its 2021/22 main stage season.
The announcement sees ENO’s ambition to return to the London Coliseum following Covid.
The season has been designed by the ENO to please opera aficionados and newcomers alike, with a range of audience favourites and bold new productions.
Key highlights of the new season include:
- The ENO’s 2021/22 season features four new productions and three revivals with a total of 67 performances.
- This broad spectrum of opera encompass not only beautiful, entertaining and moving stories, but also address issues that resonate with us today.
- Multi-award winning comedy director Cal McCrystal returns to the ENO to direct the first production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore in the company’s history.
- Acclaimed director and fellow multi-award winner Richard Jones directs Wagner’s The Valkyrie, the first production in a new Ring Cycle to be staged at the London Coliseum across the next five years, co-produced with the Metropolitan Opera.
- Jamie Manton makes a main stage directorial debut with a new production of Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen. Sally Matthews takes the title role, returning to the ENO for the first time since 2005.
- ENO Artistic Director Annilese Miskimmon makes her ENO directorial debut with a new production of Ruders’ The Handmaid’s Tale, featuring a house and role debut for Kate Lindsey and conducted by the outstanding young Portuguese conductor Joana Carneiro.
- Revivals comprise Phelim McDermott’s captivating Satyagraha, with Sean Panikkar returning to the ENO in the role of Gandhi conducted by Carolyn Kuan, Jonathan Miller’s much loved La bohème, conducted by Ben Glassberg, and Phelim McDermott’s Così fan tutte, conducted by Kerem Hasan in an ENO debut, and with three ENO Harewood Artists in principal roles.
- The season showcases some of the industry’s finest operatic talent across casts and creatives.
- 90% of the cast this season is British, British-based or British-trained, continuing the ENO’s commitment to support and nurture homegrown talent. The ENO continues to develop new talent through the renowned ENO Harewood Artists programme and ENO Mackerras Fellowship.
- This season’s productions also play host to talent from around the world, including ENO debuts by Kate Lindsey, Pumeza Matshikiza, Amitai Pati, Carolyn Kuan and welcome returns for artists including Joana Carneiro, Sean Panikkar, Soloman Howard and David Junghoon Kim.
- To continue the successful development of new audiences, the ENO will expand its under 18s come free ticket offer to now include under 21s at all performances and at all levels of the house. The ENO will also be extending discounts available to those under 35. Ticket prices for everyone will start at £10.
- Following the success of the ENO’s first ever relaxed performance last season, two more are planned on the main stage for this season, which are designed to be more accessible for those who may benefit from a more relaxed environment at the theatre.
- The ENO’s social prescribing intervention for long-COVID, ENO Breathe, in partnership with Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, will continue throughout 2021/22, supporting patients managing long-term symptoms of breathlessness and anxiety post-illness.
- The ENO will launch Finish This… a new creative music making programme for primary and secondary aged learners. Using specially commissioned operatic works as a starting point, learners will respond to and resolve unfinished music, created with the full forces of the ENO Chorus and Orchestra.
ENO Artistic Director Annilese Miskimmon said:
‘To join the ENO at such a turbulent time for the industry has been a privilege as I have been blown away by the energy and commitment of the company and the fabulous freelance talent we work with. We have worked hard in lockdown to continue to bring new artistic work in innovative and pioneering ways. The overwhelming determination of all to create ambitious and brilliant opera no matter what the challenges will make this a very special season for the ENO.
We have painstakingly planned this new season to give audiences a wealth of choice. The ENO’s belief that opera can provide an emotionally invaluable experience in good times and bad is demonstrated by our season which sees a return of old favourites and bold new productions. The season is one in which all can encounter the joy, the drama and the emotion of the most beautiful of art forms.
The 2021/22 season offers a collection of stories from across opera’s history that are as pertinent today as ever. We have not let the past difficult year dim our ambition and I look forward to welcoming audiences both new and old back to the ENO’s home, the London Coliseum.’
ENO Music Director Martyn Brabbins said:
‘It has been a pleasure to work with Annilese on curating this long-awaited season. Whilst the seats in our home the London Coliseum have remained empty, the innovation shown across the company – from drive-ins to concert work – has enabled us to share our work in new and ambitious ways. It is with this zeal that we return to performing to live audiences.
It is a huge privilege to work with such exciting talent to bring our new season of operas to life. This will be a homecoming for the company, and we look forward to welcoming old and new faces alike to our stage, pit and house.’
ENO CEO Stuart Murphy said:
‘After 3 years at the company, I continue to be inspired by the relentless innovation at the heart of the ENO. We have kept audiences’ needs front and centre during lockdown, from our social prescribing intervention for long-COVID ENO Breathe, to drive-in La bohème, TV coverage of Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah to ‘Nessun Dorma’ on Comic Relief, enabling millions to experience the ENO’s work. We were founded to bring world class opera to everyone, and I’m very proud that the ENO reaffirmed its place as the national opera house for everyone.
Our teams produced work in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, we were proactive and unequivocal in our continual push for greater fairness and representation on stage, backstage and in the pit, and we showed operational resilience and flexibility in the face of continual change.
This season we will extend our free ticket scheme to everyone under the age of 21, proactively growing the next generation of opera fans. Significantly, this will include seats across all parts of the auditorium and for every performance. We are unique in offering this, only possible thanks to the public investment from Arts Council England and the DCMS. Our commitment to those with disabilities, health conditions and different access needs, continues and this year we are delighted to grow the number of relaxed performances, with two more, both on the main stage.
The ENO is changing, expanding and growing, and under the expert artistic guidance of Annilese Miskimmon and Martyn Brabbins, we have never been more confident in the direction of the company.’
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New productions at the London Coliseum
HMS Pinafore
Hot on the heels of his ‘grand and gorgeous extravaganza’ (Daily Telegraph) Iolanthe, Cal McCrystal will direct a new production of another Gilbert and Sullivan comic classic − HMS Pinafore. This will be the first time that the ENO has ever staged the work.
An acclaimed comedy director and the mastermind behind some of the most celebrated comic scenes in theatre and film (One Man, Two Guvnors, Paddington), Cal lends his trademark slapstick humour to this farcical satire of the British class system, packed with witty characters aboard a grand naval vessel.
HMS Pinafore’s score abounds with memorable musical moments: sea shanties, patter songs and witty reimagining’s of patriotic anthems. Conducting is Chris Hopkins, Principal Conductor of English Sinfonia, Musical Director of Orchestra of the City and ENO regular, following on from his success conducting The Mikado last season.
A multi-talented cast brings Pinafore’s absurd characters to life. Making his operatic debut as Sir Joseph, First Lord of the Admiralty, is actor and comedian Les Dennis. Bass-baritone John Savournin sings Captain Corcoran and ENO Harewood Artist Elgan Llŷr Thomas is Ralph Rackstraw, following his role as Nanki-Poo in last season’s The Mikado, whilst new Harewood Artist Alexandra Oomens makes her ENO debut as Josephine. They are joined by award-winning baritone Marcus Farnsworth as the Boatswain, and Henry Waddington returns to the ENO as Dick Deadeye. Making a much anticipated ENO debut is Bethan Langford as Hebe with sought-after contralto Hilary Summers making a welcome return as Buttercup.
The seafaring set and costumes are by Greek designer takis whose work has graced the stages of theatres across the UK and abroad and whose installations have also appeared at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Design Museums in both London and Helsinki. Reuniting with Cal after Iolanthe is leading West End choreographer Lizzi Gee and lighting designer Tim Mitchell.
The Valkyrie
This autumn will see the first of celebrated director Richard Jones’s new Ring Cycle productions, which will be staged at the London Coliseum over the next five years, co-produced with the Metropolitan Opera. Commencing with The Valkyrie, a heroic tale of power and conflict set against the rich landscape of Norse mythology, eight-time Olivier Award-winner Richard Jones joins forces with ENO’s Music Director Martyn Brabbins to bring Wagner’s thunderous story to life. This is Richard Jones’s first production for the ENO in 5 years.
With a new English translation by John Deathridge, the production is designed by Stuart Laing, with Adam Silverman as lighting designer, Sarah Fahie as movement director and Akhila Krishnan as video designer.
Leading a stellar cast is Matthew Rose, who makes a role debut as the mighty Wotan, returning to the ENO following his ‘smoothly sonorous King Mark’ (the Guardian) in 2016’s Tristan and Isolde. Established Wagnerian Rachel Nicholls, who sang a ‘delightful’ (The Daily Express) Eva in the ENO’s 5-star 2015 production of The Mastersingers of Nuremberg, revisits the role of Brünnhilde.
Nicky Spence makes his role debut as Siegmund. A former ENO Harewood Artist, versatile Scottish tenor Nicky’s last Wagner role at the ENO was a ‘world-class’ (the Independent) David in 2015’s The Mastersingers of Nuremberg. Singing his twin sister Sieglinde and also making a role debut is Emma Bell, whose performance in the Royal Opera House’s Tannhäuser in 2016 rocketed her ‘into the Wagnerian premier league’ (The Times).
Respected bass Brindley Sherratt sings Hunding, and ENO favourite Susan Bickley is Fricka. The eponymous Valkyries are sung by a selection of first-class voices. Current and former ENO Harewood Artists Nadine Benjamin, Idunnu Münch, Katie Stevenson and Claire Barnett-Jones are Gerhilde, Siegrune, Grimgerde, and Rossweisse respectively. Jennifer Davis makes her ENO debut as Helmwige, following a leading role in Wagner’s Lohengrin at the Royal Opera House in 2018. Sarah-Jane Lewis sings Waltraute, Fleur Barron is Schwertleite and Mari Wyn Williams is Ortlinde.
The Cunning Little Vixen
One of Janáček’s best-loved later works, this production of The Cunning Little Vixen will be the first time the company has staged the opera since 2001. With a score typical of Janáček’s musical style − incorporating the folk music and speech rhythms of his Moravian roots − the tale of the capture and escape of the titular fox treads a careful balance between comic and tragic. This new production is contemporarily staged, contrasting the ageing human world with the constant renewal of the animal kingdom.
This is director Jamie Manton’s first main stage production for the ENO, having previously directed The Day After at Lilian Baylis House and Paul Bunyan − ‘an exhilarating experience’ (The Mail on Sunday) – at Wilton’s Music Hall and Alexandra Palace Theatre. Joining Jamie to lead the ENO Orchestra is Martyn Brabbins, conducting his second production of the season. Set and costumes are by Tom Scutt, lighting by Lucy Carter, and movement direction is by Jenny Ogilvie.
Making a much anticipated return to the ENO in the role of Vixen is outstanding British soprano Sally Matthews who last appeared at the London Coliseum in David McVicar’s La clemenza di Tito in 2005. Making her ENO debut this season as Fox is South African soprano Pumeza Matshikiza. The Forester is sung by Lester Lynch, returning to the ENO following 2018’s ‘superb’ (Daily Telegraph) Lucia di Lammermoor. The Forester’s Wife is former ENO Harewood Artist Madeleine Shaw, and Alan Oke sings the first of two roles this season, as both Schoolmaster/Mosquito. Joining them is renowned bass Clive Bayley as both Priest/Badger and Welsh soprano Ffion Edwards as Frantík/Jay. Completing the cast are current Harewoods Claire Barnett-Jones, John Findon, and Alexandra Oomens as Dog, Innkeeper (Pásek)/Cock and Pepík/Woodpecker respectively.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Artistic Director Annilese Miskimmon will make her ENO directorial debut this season with a new production of Poul Ruders’s The Handmaid’s Tale. The ENO last staged this outstandingly relevant work in 2003, when it received its first English language debut at the London Coliseum. Based on Margaret Atwood’s dystopian masterpiece of the same name (the basis of the hugely successful Hulu series of the same name starring Elisabeth Moss), the opera is set in a totalitarian state in which women, stripped of their identities and rights, are subjected to the whims of a patriarchal republic. Ruders’s minimalist score is filled with tension and unease, reflecting the brutality of the regime.
Annilese’s previous work includes the ‘intelligent and sensitive’ (the Guardian) Jenůfa for Scottish Opera/Danish National Opera and a critically acclaimed production of Billy Budd whilst Opera Director of Norwegian National Opera. Making a much anticipated return to the ENO following her ‘superbly conducted’ (the Guardian) The Gospel According to the Other Mary (John Adams) is commended Portugese conductor Joana Carneiro. Principal Conductor of the Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa, Joana is highly sought after for her specialism in contemporary works. Set and costumes are by Annemarie Woods, with lighting by Paule Constable and video designed by Akhila Krishnan.
Acclaimed mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey makes both her role and ENO debuts as heroine Offred. Following his ‘impressive’ (Daily Telegraph) ENO debut in last season’s Luisa Miller, bass Soloman Howard returns, singing The Commander. ENO Harewood Artist John Findon joins the cast as Luke whilst ENO favourite Emma Bell sings Aunt Lydia. Following his successful UK debut in 2018’s Porgy and Bess, tenor Frederick Ballentine is Nick, and making her ENO debut is Raehann Bryce-Davis as Serena Joy. Another exciting talent making her ENO debut is Elin Pritchard singing Ofglen. Also included in this compelling lineup are Susan Bickley as Offred’s Mother, Pumeza Matshikiza as Moira and Alan Oke as The Doctor. They are joined by former ENO Harewood Artists Rhian Lois as Janine/Ofwarren and Madeline Shaw as Rita. Book The Handmaid’s Tale tickets here.
Revival productions at the London Coliseum
Satyagraha
Returning for its fourth revival at the ENO is Phelim McDermott’s ‘unmissable masterpiece’ (Daily Telegraph) Satyagraha. A collaboration between the ENO and theatre company Improbable, Satyagraha marries Philip Glass’s hypnotic score with mesmerising stagecraft. The second in Glass’s ‘Portrait Trilogy’ (Einstein on the Beach, Satyagraha and Akhnaten), Satyagraha is based on Mahatma Gandhi’s early years in South Africa, exploring the leader’s development of non-violent protest, its non-linear libretto written entirely in Sanskrit.
Making her much anticipated ENO debut is Taiwanese conductor Carolyn Kuan. Carolyn is Music Director at the Hartford Symphony Orchestra in the US and recently conducted the world premiere of Iain Bell’s Stonewall with the New York City Opera.
After ‘stealing the show’ (Opera Now) during his ENO debut as Don José in 2020’s Carmen, American tenor Sean Panikkar makes a welcome return to the company, starring as M.K. Gandhi after a critically acclaimed role debut at Los Angeles Opera. Following 2017’s ‘impressive’ (The Times) UK debut in Aida, Musa Ngqungwana sings Lord Krishna. New ENO Harewood bass William Thomas makes his London Coliseum live audience debut as Parsi Rustomji following his soloist appearance in the national broadcast of Handel’s Messiah in March 2021. After huge success covering roles on stage in the ENO’s previous productions of Rigoletto and Orpheus in the Underworld, Gabriella Cassidy makes her official ENO debut as Miss Schlesen, while Ross Ramgobin makes his London Coliseum debut as Prince Arjuna following ENO Drive & Live: La bohème in September 2020. The cast is completed by James Cleverton as Mr Kallenbach, Felicity Buckland as Kasturbai − making her debut as a soloist − and Sarah Pring, who returns to the role of Mrs Alexander.
La bohème
Set in inter-war Paris, Jonathan Miller’s now iconic production of La bohème has travelled to stages around the world since its premiere in 2009, and now returns to the London Coliseum.
In the pit is Ben Glassberg, one of Britain’s most exciting young conductors, who last conducted the ENO Orchestra at Regents Park Open Air Theatre for 2019’s Olivier Award-nominated co-production of Hansel & Gretel. Ben is currently Music Director at Opéra de Rouen Normandie, and Principal Conductor of the Glyndebourne Tour.
Soprano Sinéad Campell-Wallace makes her ENO debut as Mimì, with former Harewood Artist Nadine Benjamin sharing the role for two performances. They are joined by David Junghoon Kim as Rodolfo, reprising his role following ENO Drive & Live: La bohème and returning to the London Coliseum after delivering a performance imbued with ‘radiance, lyricism and power’ (The Stage) in 2020’s Luisa Miller. Baritone Charles Rice sings Marcello, and Louise Alder makes a welcome return to the ENO as Musetta, whose ‘vocal warmth’ (The Arts Desk) as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro was cut short by theatre closures in March 2020. The role of Schaunard is shared by Harewood Artists Alex Otterburn and Benson Wilson, the latter sang this role in ENO Drive & Live. Also reprising his Drive & Live role is William Thomas as Colline; his second ENO engagement of the season. Completing the cast is originator of these roles Simon Butteriss, as both Benoit and Alcindoro.
Così fan tutte
Also returning for a triumphant revival is Phelim McDermott’s riotous Così fan tutte, created in collaboration with Improbable. Premiering in 2014, the production transports audiences to a faded 1950s Coney Island-esque seaside attraction complete with pleasure garden, fairground rides, and an end-of-the-pier circus sideshow. A cast of exciting new talent – including three ENO Harewood Artists in main roles – will be joined by an ensemble of spectacular circus skills performers to set the scene and Phelim McDermott returns to direct.
Taking up the baton for his ENO debut is young British conductor Kerem Hasan, Chief Conductor of the Tiroler Symphonieorchester-Innsbruck. Winner of Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award, Kerem has recently conducted the London Symphony Orchestra and the Oslo Philharmonic.
Nardus Williams, who recently shared the role of Mimì in ENO Drive & Live: La bohème, makes a role debut as Fiordiligi. Mezzo-soprano Hanna Hipp, who sang Cherubino in 2020’s The Marriage of Figaro will sing the role of her sister Dorabella, a role Hanna has previously sung for Seattle Opera. Known as part of the New Zealand operatic trio Sol3 Mio, tenor Amitai Pati makes his ENO debut as Ferrando, with Harewood Artist Benson Wilson singing Guglielmo following a ‘strong’ (Opera) Schaunard in ENO Drive & Live. They are joined by another current Harewood Artist, ‘diamantine’ (Daily Telegraph) soprano Soraya Mafi, also fresh from ENO Drive & Live where she sang Musetta. ENO favourite Neal Davies completes this lineup as Don Alfonso, returning to the London Coliseum following 2017’s Rodelinda.
As part of the ENO’s continued efforts to make the opera industry more accessible, inclusive and representative of the society in which we live, the Chorus and Orchestra Fellowships and Director Observership programme, which launched in 2019, will continue to run into the new season. A new recruitment of five string fellows and four choristers from an ethnically diverse background will join the ENO Orchestra and Chorus respectively for the 2021/22 season, while the ENO’s paid Director Observership programme offers the opportunity for four emerging directors from an ethnically diverse background to work alongside world-renowned opera directors, observing the entire process of directing an opera from start to finish.
This forms part of the ENO’s continued commitment to nurture diverse talent and increase opportunities for those who are currently under-represented, both in London and nationally.
As part of this goal we are continuing our scheme for aspiring reviewers, ENO Response, for a second season. ENO Response gives aspiring journalists and reviewers the opportunity to produce opera reviews and receive writing advice and feedback.
The ENO’s student placement scheme for instrumentalists, ENO Evolve, gives students the opportunity to work alongside a dedicated full-time opera orchestra. The placement offers undergraduates from the Royal College of Music the chance to play with and learn from our ENO Orchestra.
The ENO Mackerras Fellowship for emerging conductors continues into the new season and is currently held by fellow Olivia Clarke. The structured two-year programme provides a unique opportunity for an exceptional emerging conductor to develop their skills with mentoring from ENO Music Director Martyn Brabbins, members of the ENO music team and visiting conductors; as well as providing invaluable performance opportunities.
Listings information: ENO performances at the London Coliseum
Philip Glass − Satyagraha
Vocal Text by Constance de Jong (adapted from the ‘Bhagavad Gita’)
Book by Philip Glass and Constance De Jong
Revival
14 October − 28 October 2021
Oct 14, 16, 20, 23, 27, 28 at 19.00 Oct 17 at 15.00
Seven performances
Conductor: Carolyn Kuan, Director: Phelim McDermott, Revival Director: Peter Relton, Set Designer/Associate Director: Julian Crouch, Costume Designer: Kevin Pollard, Lighting Designer: Paule Constable, Revival Lighting Designer: Kevin Sleep, Video Designer: Leo Warner and Mark Grimmer, Revival Movement Director and puppetry: Rob Thirtle.
Cast includes: Sean Panikkar (M.K. Gandhi), Musa Ngqungwana (Lord Krishna), William Thomas (Parsi Rustomji), Felicity Buckland (Kasturbai), James Cleverton (Mr Kallenbach), Sarah Pring (Mrs Alexander), Ross Ramgobin (Prince Arjuna), Gabriella Cassidy (Miss Schlesen).
Co-produced with the Metropolitan Opera, New York. In collaboration with Improbable.
Arthur Sullivan – HMS Pinafore
Libretto by W.S. Gilbert
New production
29 October − 11 December 2021
Oct 29 at 19.00 Oct 30, Nov 6, 12, 17, 18, 27, 30 & Dec 3, 6, 9, 11 at 19.30 Oct 30 & Nov 6, 7, 14, 27 at 15.00 Nov 20 at 14.00
Signed performance: Nov 17 at 19.30
Relaxed performance: Dec 3 at 13.30
19 performances
Conductor: Chris Hopkins, Director: Cal McCrystal, Set Designer/Costume Designer: takis, Lighting Designer: Tim Mitchell, Choreographer: Lizzi Gee.
Cast includes: Les Dennis (Sir Joseph), John Savournin (Captain Corcoran), Elgan Llŷr Thomas (Ralph Rackstraw), Henry Waddington (Dick Deadeye), Marcus Farnsworth (Boatswain), Alexandra Oomens (Josephine), Bethan Langford (Hebe), Hilary Summers (Buttercup).
Richard Wagner −The Valkyrie
Libretto by Richard Wagner
New production
19 November − 10 December 2021
Nov 19, 22, 25 & Dec 1, 7, 10 at 17.00
Nov 28 & Dec 4 at 14.30
Eight performances
Conductor: Martyn Brabbins/Anthony Negus (7 Dec), Director: Richard Jones, Set Designer/Costume Designer: Stewart Laing, Lighting Designer: Adam Silverman, Video Designer: Akhila Krishnan, Movement Director: Sarah Fahie, Translator: John Deathridge.
Cast includes: Matthew Rose (Wotan), Rachel Nicholls (Brünnhilde), Nicky Spence (Siegmund), Emma Bell (Sieglinde), Brindley Sherratt (Hunding), Susan Bickley (Fricka), Claire Barnett-Jones (Rossweisse), Fleur Barron (Schwertleite), Nadine Benjamin (Gerhilde), Jennifer Davis (Helmwige), Sarah-Jane Lewis (Waltraute), Idunnu Münch (Siegrune), Katie Stevenson (Grimgerde), Mari Wyn Williams (Ortlinde).
Co-produced with the Metropolitan Opera, New York.
Giacomo Puccini − La bohème
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
Revival
31 January − 27 February 2022
Jan 31 & Feb 2, 4, 10, 12, 19, 23, 25, 27 at 19.30
Feb 5, 12, 19, 27 at 14.30
13 performances
Conductor: Ben Glassberg, Director: Jonathan Miller, Set and Costume Designer: Isabella Bywater, Lighting Designer: Jean Kalman. Revival Lighting Designer: Kevin Sleep, Translator: Amanda Holden
Cast includes: Sinéad Campell-Wallace/Nadine Benjamin (Matinees 12, 18, 27 Feb) (Mimì), David Junghoon Kim (Rodolfo), Charles Rice (Marcello), Louise Alder (Musetta), William Thomas (Colline), Benson Wilson/Alex Otterburn (Schaunard), Simon Butteriss (Benoît/Alcindoro).
A co-production with Cincinnati Opera.
Leoš Janáček − The Cunning Little Vixen
Libretto by Leoš Janáček
New production
18 February −1 March 2022
Feb 18, 22, 24, 26 & Mar 1 at 19.30
Feb 20 at 15.00
Relaxed performance: Feb 26 at 14.30
Seven performances
Conductor: Martyn Brabbins, Director: Jamie Manton, Set Designer/Costume Designer: Tom Scutt, Lighting Designer: Lucy Carter, Movement Director: Jenny Ogilvie, Translator: Robert T. Jones & Yveta Synek Graff.
Cast includes: Sally Matthews (Vixen), Pumeza Matshikiza (Fox), Madeleine Shaw (Forester’s Wife/Owl), Alan Oke (Schoolmaster/Owl), Lester Lynch (Forester), Claire Barnett-Jones (Dog), Clive Bayley (Priest (Parson)/Badger), John Findon (Innkeeper (Pásek)/Cock), Sarah-Jane Lewis (Innkeeper’s Wife/Hen), Alexandra Oomens (Pepík/Woodpecker), Ffion Edwards (Frantík/Jay).
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart − Così fan tutte
Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
Revival
10 − 22 March 2022
Mar 10, 14, 16, 18, 22 at 19.00
Mar 12 at 18.00
Mar 20 at 15.00
Signed performance: Mar 16 at 19.00
Seven performances
Conductor: Kerem Hasan, Director: Phelim McDermott, Set Designer: Tom Pye, Costume Designer: Laura Hopkins, Lighting Designer: Paule Constable, Revival Lighting Designer: Kevin Sleep. Translator: Jeremy Sams.
Cast includes: Nardus Williams (Fiordiligi), Hanna Hipp (Dorabella), Amitai Pati (Ferrando), Benson Wilson (Guglielmo), Soraya Mafi (Despina), Neal Davies (Don Alfonso).
Co-produced with the Metropolitan Opera, New York. In collaboration with Improbable.
Poul Ruders − The Handmaid’s Tale
Libretto by Paul Bentley (based on the novel by Margaret Atwood)
New production
4 − 14 April 2022
Apr 4, 6, 8, 12, 14 at 19.30
Apr 10 at 15.00
Six performances
Conductor: Joana Carneiro, Director: Annilese Miskimmon, Set Designer/Costume Designer: Annemarie Woods, Lighting Designer: Paule Constable, Video Designer: Akhila Krishnan, Movement Director: Imogen Knight.
Cast includes: Kate Lindsey (Offred), John Findon (Luke), Susan Bickley (Offred’s Mother), Emma Bell (Aunt Lydia), Pumeza Matshikiza (Moira), Rhian Lois (Janine/Offwaren), Raehann Bryce-Davis (Serena Joy), Madeleine Shaw (Rita), Solomon Howard (The Commander), Frederick Ballentine (Nick), Elin Pritchard (Ofglen), Alan Oke (The Doctor).
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