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Preview: Jack Foley
ENGLISH National Opera is presenting an exciting line-up during
its new season, from May 2005 until the end of the year.
Here, IndieLondon picks out the best of what's on offer, while
providing the opportunity to buy tickets to each performance.
Jephtha
Critically-lauded British director Katie Mitchell makes her ENO
debut with a deeply moving realisation of Handel's last oratorio.
In this magnificent staging of the composer's masterpiece, personal,
political and theological themes merge convincingly in a universal
drama of gripping immediacy.
Jephtha is the warrior who makes a pact with God; in return for
a victorious return fom war, he promises to sacrifice the first
person he sees. Fate decrees that he must murder his daughter
Iphis, leaving Jephtha to struggle with the desperate consequences
of his bargain. Passionate performances are given by some of the
country's most applauded artists, including Mark Padmore and Susan
Bickley. Conductor Nicholas Kraemer is another powerful presence
in this astonishing production that is heart-rending from first
to last.
9 performances only. From £8
May 12 at 7pm | May 14 at 6pm | May 18 | 20 | 25 | 25 | June 3
| 7 | 9 | 15 at 7pm
Buy
tickets
Cosi Fan Tutte
Thoughtful, dreamy and memorable, Matthew Warchus's production
is a tempting mix of ravishing music, immaculate ensembles and
sepia-tinted sets. Deftly handling the paradoxes within Mozart's
popular comic opera, this hugely imaginative staging provokes
its audience to reflect on love and fidelity. Two men bet on the
loyalty of the sisters to whom they are engaged after being challenged
by the cynic Don Alfonso. Disguised, the men's attempts to seduce
each other's fiancee end in heartbreak and, eventually, forgiveness.
Vibrant vocal performances are delivered by four outstanding young
leads, including the charismatic tenor Gregory Turay, who makes
his ENO debut, while the accomplished Lillian Watson and Robert
Poulton enjoy welcome returns. Mozart's wonderful score is brought
to life by the conducting talent of Edward Gardner, in another
exciting company debut.
10 performances only. From £8 (May 26 | June 2 |
4 | 8 at 7pm | June 11 at 6pm | June 13 | 16 at 7pm | June 18
at 6pm | June 21 | 24 at 7pm
Buy
tickets
Eugene Onegin (pictured)
Celebrated baritone Gerald Finley makes his role debut as the
sauve, brooding Onegin in Julia Hollander's poetic staging of
Tchaikovsky's most famous opera. Sweeping melodies and wistfully
passionate arias provide the backdrop to this story of thwarted
love, duelling rivals and twisted romance, stunningly portrayed
in this vintage revival.
The stark divide betweeen country and courtly life in 19th century
Russia is illustrated by the dramatic transformation of Tatyana,
whose rejection by Onegin sets the scene for this emotive journey.
Catrin Wyn-Davies and Peter Rose join Finley in this star line-up,
while Jonathan Darlingotn - in his first ENO appearance - conducts
Tchaikovsky's powerfully romantic score in this mesmerising production
of timeless appeal.
6 performances only. From £8
June 10 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 22 at 7pm | June 25 at 6pm
Buy
tickets
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Shadowtime
In recognition of the British composer's prolific contribution
to contemporary classical music, ENO presents an exclusive UK
concert performance of Shadowtime. Two leading European ensembles
- Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart and Nieuw Ensemble Amsterdam -
are joined at the London Coliseum by accomplished conductor Jurjen
Hempel for a remarkable evening of music.
Recognised internationally as one of the most important composers
of our time, Brian Ferneyhough breaks operatic convention with
Shadowtime, an intriguing music-theatre piece comprising seven
scenes. The British composer's first operatic work - premiered
at the Munich Biennale in May 2004 - is based on the life of the
great writer and philosopher, Walter Benjamin. A beautiful 'opera
of thoughts', it transcends boundaries, combining intricate musical
layering with passionate expression and poetic allusions.
Season closing concert. 1 Performance only
From £5
July 9 at 8pm
Buy
tickets
The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant
Directed by Richard Jones and composed by Gerald Barry, Fassbinder's
extraordinary take on female love opens a landmark season for
ENO. With Kathryn Harries and Susan Bickley.
7 performances only.
September 16 | 20 | 23 | 29 | October 1 | 4 | 7
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tickets
The Magic Flute
ENO's Mozart classic returns - 'an all-time ENO hit'(The Times)-
originally directed by Nicholas Hytner. With Toby Spence, Andrew
Shore and Janice Watson.
11 performances only.
September 19 | 21 | 24 | 28 | 30 | October 6 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 17
| 21
Buy
tickets
The Carmelites
Poulenc's tale of faith and courage returns with Phyllida Lloyd's
beautiful co-production with Welsh National Opera featuring Felicity
Palmer and Dame Josephine Barstow.
8 performances only.
October 5 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 27 | 29 | November 3
Buy
tickets
Salome
The centenary of Richard Strauss' first international hit and
a welcome return for one of ENO's most successful productions
features Cheryl Barker and Sally Burgess.
7 performances only.
October 19 | 28 | November 2 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 17
Buy tickets
Madam Butterfly
Anthony Minghella directs his opera debut with Puccini's most
romantic work starring Mary Plazas, Gwyn Hughes Jones and Jean
Rigby.
13 performances only.
November 5 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 25 | 30 | December
2 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 16
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tickets
Xerxes
National Theatre Director Nicholas Hytner's Olivier Award-winning
production of Handel's classic. Katarina Karneus makes her UK
Handel debut.
7 performances only.
November 16 | 19 | 24 | 26 | December 1 | 6 | 15
Buy
tickets
Billy Budd
Britten's masterpiece in a major new production from WNO featuring
Simon Keenlyside, John Tomlinson and Timothy Robinson.
7 performances only.
December 3 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 17
Buy
tickets
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