Welsh National Opera’s (WNO) Spring Season comes to Mayflower Theatre from Wednesday 30 April to Saturday 3 May, and Peter Grimes, The Marriage of Figaro, and Play Opera Live.
Peter Grimes
Following on from the success of Welsh National Opera’s new production of Britten’s Death in Venice, this Spring Season opens with another new production, Britten’s Peter Grimes.
The production will be conducted by WNO Music Director Tomáš Hanus, his first Britten opera, with Melly Still making her WNO directorial debut.
A tale of mystery, prejudice and tragedy set to a melodic score, this opera follows the story of fisherman Peter Grimes as he grapples with his inner demons when his coastal town community turn against him. Over the course of this opera, Peter’s fragile mental state unwinds and eventually collapses following a tragic incident involving a fishing apprentice in a storm, an incident that Peter knows he will inevitably be blamed for.
In his role debut, tenor Nicky Spence takes up the title role, making a much welcome return to WNO following performances in Autumn 2022’s The Makropulos Affair. The illustrious British mezzo soprano Dame Sarah Connolly will also make her role debut singing Auntie. Sally Matthews makes her WNO debut in the role of Ellen Orford. Also joining the cast are Oliver Johnston as Bob Boles, Dominic Sedgwick as Ned Keene and Catherine Wyn-Rogers as Mrs Sedley. The cast also includes a host of homegrown Welsh singers including David Kempster, Fflur Wyn, Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts and Sion Goronwy.
“I keep pinching myself,” said Peter Grimes Director, Melly Still. “Yes, I am working on Peter Grimes with Nicky Spence of all remarkable people. We live close by so coffees in Deptford with his baby in tow are where we mediate on the most complex, infuriating and sorrowful of characters in opera.
“Plus we’re working with a cast to die for – many of us first-timers in the world of Grimes, mixing it up with a wealth of Grimes experience – the finest actors as much as they are astounding singers – Dame Sarah Connolly, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, David Kempster, Dominic Sedgwick, Fflur Wyn, Eiry Price, Sion Goronwy and Callum Thorpe are among those bringing fireworks to the Suffolk coast.
“I’m thrilled to be reunited with the soulful magic of Sally Matthews (Glyndebourne’s Rusalka), and the endlessly thoughtful Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts (Glyndebourne’s The Wreckers). Also joining the team are exceptional local theatre and dance artists, who will help us deliver this unflinchingly raw portrayal of an outsider.
“Of course, an outsider needs a community to pit against: in this case the full force of WNO’s fantastic Chorus. Marshalling all of us with an exquisitely sensitive appreciation of Britten’s vision, the always brilliant Tomáš Hanus.”
The Marriage of Figaro
The second show of the Spring Season is Tobias Richter’s colourful production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, with Max Hoehn directing and conducted by former WNO Associate Conductor, Kerem Hasan.
Joining the cast is soprano Erika Grimaldi who makes her WNO debut in the role of Countess Almaviva. Michael Mofidian, Christina Gansch, Harriet Eyley, Giorgio Caoduro, Wyn Pencarreg, Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts, WNO Associate Artist Eiry Price, Monika Sawa and Julian Boyce all reprise their roles from the performances in February.
Play Opera LIVE
WNO’s Play Opera LIVE returns to Southampton this year with all the usual free fun activities delving into the world of opera in the foyer before the performances, with costumes, face painting and props on offer.
This interactive and educational family show is the perfect introduction to opera and classical music, and this time, the concerts will include the musical adaptation by Ian Stephens of the family favourite book, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Another tune made famous by Pavarotti and which featured in a series of Cornetto adverts, O sole mio will also feature.
Tom Redmond returns to present the show which will feature WNO Orchestra and WNO Chorus as well as tenor Oliver Johnston. Joining them will be former WNO Associate Artist mezzo-soprano Beca Davies and current WNO Associate Artist Erin Rossington. Caroline Clegg returns to WNO to direct, making her WNO debut Irish conductor Karen Ní Bhroin, with designs by Yu Song.
Tickets for Welsh National Opera’s Spring Season (Wednesday 30 April – Saturday 3 May 2025) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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