Welsh National Opera stages a new production of Wagner’s comic masterpiece, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Directed by Richard Jones, with Bryn Terfel making his role debut as Sachs, this is being described as the “hottest ticket” for 2010.
Simon Keenlyside returns to WNO in a revival of James MacDonald’s Rigoletto, set in 1960’s Washington D.C. Performances in Cardiff and Birmingham
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Any production of this landmark opera is a major event, partly owing to its scale – it runs for just over six hours – but also for the demands made on the ensemble of performers who appear on stage and in the pit. The role of Sachs is one of the biggest challenges for the bass-baritone voice and requires a performer of great stature and experience to deliver. WNO welcomes back the internationally acclaimed Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel to sing the role of the shoemaker-poet Sachs.
During the course of the opera, Sachs must help steer a course between the traditionalists in the guilds who dominate the annual song contest and a young contender who seeks to change the rules – and win the hand of Eva Pogner. Raymond Very makes his Company debut in the role of that contender, Walther Von Stolzing, whilst Amanda Roocroft sings the role of Eva. Christopher Purves makes his role debut as Beckmesser. Renowned for his performances of German opera, WNO Music Director Lothar Koenigs will conduct.
Director Richard Jones also returns to WNO to direct this opera for the first time. His previous three productions for the Company, Hansel & Gretel, The Queen of Spades and Wozzeck have all won major awards and have been critically praised. Designer Paul Steinberg and costume designer Buki Shiff both worked with Richard on the ground-breaking, and award winning, production of Wozzeck for WNO in 2005.
Rigoletto: Simon Keenlyside returns to WNO to make his debut in the title role of Verdi’s Rigoletto. Faced by deception and corruption, cursed and despised Rigoletto swears he will have vengeance on his master, the Duke sung by Gwyn Hughes Jones, and protect his beloved daughter Gilder sung by Sarah Coburn. James Macdonald’s internationally acclaimed production of one of Verdi’s most powerful and direct operas is set in 1960s Washington D.C. and is conducted by Pablo Heras-Casado in his WNO debut.
