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MID WALES OPERA TO JOIN IN CELEBRATION OF BENJAMIN BRITTEN CENTENARY |
To mark the centenary of the birth of one of the most significant figures in twentieth century British classical music, this autumn Mid Wales Opera will present a brand new production of Benjamin Britten’s wonderful comic chamber opera – Albert Herring. Touring to more than 20 venues throughout Wales and England, this co-production with Dublin-based Opera Theatre Company will have its premiere performances at Theatr Hafren in Newtown, Powys this September. It is time for the sleepy village of Loxford to choose a May Queen, but unfortunately there is a problem as none of the local girls quite fit the bill “Country virgins, if there be such, think too little, and see too much…”. All eyes now focus on Albert, from the greengrocer’s, as pure and innocent as they come. Surely the perfect candidate to be Loxford’s first May King? Albert Herring is a classic, comic depiction of village life. One of the composer’s most witty and irreverent gems, the opera has a cast full of recognisable characters, including the village bobby, the local vicar and the landed gentry…. In the title role is Birmingham-born tenor Christopher Turner. After reading music at the University of Hull Christopher then went on to the Royal Northern College of Music; after graduating he joined ENO as a Young Singer and has subsequently been in great demand with opera companies across the UK. Welsh Soprano Catrin Aur makes a welcome return to Mid Wales Opera after playing the “passionate” Donna Anna in “the visually stimulating production” of Don Giovanni last year; she will take the role of the formidable Lady Billows, the local lady of the manor. Charles Rice is live-wire Sid, the butchers’ son: Charles recently performed the role to great acclaim with English Touring Opera. Sid’s sweetheart, Nancy – the baker’s daughter - will be played by Máire Flavin. The Dublin-born singer is no stranger to Albert Herring: she performed the role of Nancy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Welsh National Opera audiences will recognise Máire from her performances as Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte in 2012. Following last year’s success with Mozart’s masterpiece Don Giovanni, Artistic Director Nicholas Cleobury will once again be showcasing the talents of the Mid Wales Opera Chamber Orchestra through the intricate musical world of Albert Herring, and we are thrilled to be working for the first time with Director Michael Barker-Caven – whose production of I Pagliacci at the Cork Everyman has just been nominated for Best Opera Production 2012 in across the UK all to mark the centenary of Benjamin Britten’s birth. Mid Wales Opera is delighted, in partnership with Opera Theatre Company, to bring his wonderful comedy opera to stages across the country: a rare opportunity for audiences from Aberystwyth to Margate, from New Brighton to Yeovil to experience Britten at his finest and funniest. Albert Herring will open at Theatr Hafren with performances on the 5th and 7th September visit www.midwalesopera.co.uk for further information. |
| Mid Wales Opera web site: www.midwalesopera.co.uk |
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Thursday, August 15, 2013 |
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