Welsh National Opera explores themes of political incarceration, back stage rivalry and musical enchantment when it brings Fidelio, Ariadne auf Naxos and The Magic Flute to Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol, Liverpool, Birmingham, Llandudno, Southampton and Oxford for Autumn 2010.
This season WNO presents three operas as part of its Eternal Light series. Austrian and German opera has perhaps an unfair reputation for being less attractive than the Italian repertoire and WNO’s Eternal Light series aims to show how rich, varied and entertaining the work from these two countries can be.
Fidelio –Welsh tenor Dennis O’Neill is well known for his performances in Verdi operas, but this season audiences will have the rare chance to see him perform in Beethoven’s only opera. He sings the role of Florestan, a political prisoner unjustly arrested and imprisoned, whose wife Leonore played by Lisa Milne, sets out to rescue him disguised as a man. Robert Hayward is Don Pizarro, the prison governor, with Elizabeth Donovan as Marzelline. Robin Tritschler – recently described by the Telegraph as “a gifted recitalist as well as up-and-coming opera star…joining the elite of young British tenors” – as Jaquino. Fidelio is conducted by WNO Music Director Lothar Koenigs and is directed, designed and lit by Giuseppe Frigeni who is making his WNO debut this season. Frigeni worked for many years as co-director and choreographer with Robert Wilson on opera productions, video projects and installations. In 2009/10 he co-directed a new production of Orfeo at La Scala in Milan. Fidelio was originally presented by Opera National de Bordeaux and is sung in German.
Ariadne auf Naxos – Strauss’ boisterous backstage comedy sees the welcome returns of Sarah Connolly to WNO as Composer and Eric Roberts as Major-Domo. Sung in German, the tale of two theatre companies who clash when they are hired to perform in the same venue on the same night also features Gillian Keith as Zerbinetta, Robert Poulton as Music Master and Wynne Evans as Brighella. Originally directed by Neil Armfield, this revival is directed by Denni Sayers and is conducted by WNO Music Director Lothar Koenigs. Simon Phillippo will conduct on 19th October and Imelda Drumm will perform Composer on 30th November.
The Magic Flute – Director Dominic Cooke’s colourful production of the ever-popular Mozart opera returns this season complete with flying fish, dancing animals and orange bowler-hatted Chorus. Peter Wedd is Prince Tamino with Neal Davies as Papageno. Elizabeth Watts is Pamina, with Charlotte Ellett performing the role on 6 November in Liverpool. Tim Mirfin is Sarastro with Laure Meloy as Queen of the Night. Gareth Jones will conduct all performances except Liverpool, Birmingham when James Southall will take to the podium. David Stout will perform Papageno in Birmingham, Llandudno, Southampton and Oxford. This production will be sung in English.
