English National Opera 2015 Season

 

Between Worlds

A world premiere, performed at the Barbican

 

 

April 11, 2015 – April 25, 2015

 

Between Worlds is the highly anticipated operatic debut from composer Tansy Davies, who collaborates with director Deborah Warner and librettist Nick Drake on this world premiere.

In this sensitive, spiritual and ultimately uplifting journey inspired by the events of 9/11, a disparate group of individuals is trapped high up in one of the Twin Towers, caught between earth and heaven, life and death.

Described as possessing a ‘rare power to remind listeners of their own inner freedom’ (The Guardian), Davies’ distinctive sound world combines unrestrained exuberance with emotional depth. Deborah Warner directs the composer’s first opera, following critically acclaimed productions of Death in Venice, and Eugene Onegin and her recent Barbican staging of The Testament of Mary. Contemporary music specialist Gerry Cornelius conducts.

Subject matter may not be suitable for children under the age of 12.

Between Worlds is sung in English | Running time: 1hr 30mins without an interval.

 

Cast

 

Shaman – Andrew Watts

Janitor – Eric Greene

Younger Woman – Rhian Lois

Realtor – Clare Presland

Older Man – Philip Rhodes

Mother – Susan Bickley

 

Creative

 

Conductor Gerry Cornelius

Director Deborah Warner

Set Designer Michael Levine

Costume Designer Brigitte Reiffenstuel

Lighting Designer Jean Kalman

Movement Director Kim Brandstrup

Video Designer Tal Yarden

Barbican

Access Information

 

The Main entrance at Silk Street is ramped and lifts give access to all levels. All our venues have seating for wheelchair users – please inform us of any access requirements on booking. There are three wheelchairs for visitors’ use, subject to availability; these can be pre-booked by calling the Box Office on 020 7638 8891.

An induction loop is provided in the Concert Hall and Cinema. Visitors with hearing aids can make use of this facility by switching their hearing aid to the ‘T’ position. A radio network system is provided in the Theatre and Pit – visitors with hearing impairments may benefit from this facility. Headsets can be collected from Theatre Stalls Right prior to performance.

Silver Charter Mark from Attitude is Everything
Attitude is Everything improves Deaf and disabled people’s access to live music by working in partnership with audiences, artists and the music industry to implement a Charter of Best Practice across the UK. The Barbican Centre has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improving accessibility by going beyond equality law and achieving best practice by attaining silver level.

LSO: large print programmes are available on the night of the concert. Please go to the Level -1 Box Office.

Assistance dogs may be taken into the auditoria or left with a member of staff. Adapted WCs are provided on Levels -2, -1, G, 1, 2, 3 & 4.

Visit Barbican Website Here

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The Pirates of Penzance

 

May 09, 2015 – June 27, 2015 – London Coliseum

 

Sentimental pirates, blundering policeman, absurd adventures and improbable paradoxes – Gilbert and Sullivan’s dazzling The Pirates of Penzance comes to ENO in a highly anticipated new production from renowned film maker and director Mike Leigh.

This much-loved comic opera is a showcase of brilliant humour and razor-sharp wit and features a sparkling score chock-full of memorable melodies and catchy tunes.

With stylish designs from Alison Chitty, this vibrant production is conducted by David Parry. The superb cast includes the ever-versatile Andrew Shore as the very model of a modern Major-General, Jonathan Lemalu as the affectionate parody of the British bobby, Robert Murray as the innocent pirate-apprentice Frederic, and Rebecca de Pont Davies as the older woman who has designs on him.

The Pirates of Penzance is sung and surtitled in English | Running time: 2hrs 20mins

 

Cast

 

Major-General Stanley Andrew Shore

The Pirate King Joshua Bloom

Frederic Robert Murray

Sergeant of Police Jonathan Lemalu

Mabel Claudia Boyle

Ruth Rebecca de Pont Davies

Samuel Alexander Robin Baker

Edith Soraya Mafi

Kate Angharad Lyddon

Creative

 

Conductor David Parry

Director Mike Leigh

Designer Alison Chitty

Lighting Designer Paul Pyant

Choreographer Francesca Jaynes

 

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Carmen

 

 

May 20, 2015 – July 15, 2015

 

A passionate tale of lust, seduction and betrayal, no other opera boasts as popular a following as Bizet’s Carmen. Set during the dying days of Franco’s Spain, Calixto Bieito’s acclaimed production of this must-see opera has been enjoyed by audiences across Europe.

Bizet’s dazzling score evokes all the sounds and sizzling atmosphere of Spain through some of the opera’s most famous melodies, from Carmen’s seductive ‘Habanera’ to the Toreadors’ stirring parade.

Sensational mezzo-soprano Justina Gringyte leads the cast, alongside the internationally acclaimed tenor Eric Cutler as José, ENO Harewood Artist Eleanor Dennis as Micaëla and Leigh Melrose as the toreador Escamillo. Returning to the Coliseum to conduct this stunning production is Sir Richard Armstrong.

Carmen is sung and surtitled in English | Running time: 2hrs 45mins

 

Cast

 

Carmen Justina Gringyte

Don José Eric Cutler

Micaëla Eleanor Dennis

Escamillo Leigh Melrose

Frasquita Rhian Lois

Mercédès Clare Presland

Moralès George Humphreys

Dancairo Geoffrey Dolton

Remendado Alun Rhys-Jenkins

 

Creative

 

Conductor Sir Richard Armstrong/ Martin Fitzpatrick (16 & 18 June)

Director Calixto Bieito

Set Designer Alfons Flores

Costume Designer Mercè Paloma

Lighting Designer Bruno Poet

Translator Christopher Cowell

 

 

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The Queen of Spades

 

June 06, 2015 – July 02, 2015

 

In Tchaikovsky’s powerfully dark masterpiece The Queen of Spades, an aged Countess possesses the secret of winning infallibly at cards. On hearing of her remarkable power, an impoverished army officer resolves to wrest it from her at any price – even death.

Based on a short story by Pushkin, Tchaikovsky’s opera about greed and obsession is packed with soaring melodies and sumptuous orchestration. This rich score will be conducted by Edward Gardner in his final production with ENO as Music Director. Following on from their critically acclaimed collaborations on Otello and Peter Grimes, he reunites with Olivier Award-winning director David Alden for the company’s first production of The Queen of Spades in over 20 years

The excellent cast is led by international tenor Peter Bronder as the ambitious officer Hermann; soprano Giselle Allen as Lisa, the old Countess’s grand-daughter whom he shamelessly uses; and renowned mezzo-soprano Felicity Palmer as the Countess.

The Queen of Spades is sung and surtitled in English | Running time: 2hrs 45mins

 

Cast

 

Hermann Peter Bronder

Lisa Giselle Allen

Countess Felicity Palmer

Prince Yeletsky Nicholas Pallesen

Count Tomsky Gregory Dahl

Pauline Catherine Young

 

Creative

 

Conductor Edward Gardner

Director David Alden

Designer Gideon Davey

Lighting Designer Wolfgang Goebbel

Translators Martin Pickard and Neil Bartlett