Opera North has announced the productions it will bring to Newcastle’s Theatre Royal and The Sage, Gateshead, in autumn 2018 and spring 2019.
In October it brings two productions to the Thetare Royal: Tosca (23, 25 and 27) and The Merry Widow (24 and 26).
Tosca is a new production, the first new Tosca from the company since 2002, and will be directed by Edward Dick who directed the 2017 Hansel and Gretel. Giselle Allen and Susannah Glanville share the part of Tosca herself and Cavaradossi is played by Rafael Rojas, with Robert Hayward (Baron Scarpia), John Savournin (Angelotti) and Rupert Charlesworth (Spoletta). Jonathan Santagada conducts on 23 and 25 and Antony Hermus on 27.
The Merry Widow is a revival of Giles Havergal’s fin-de-siècle production, first seen in 2010. Máire Flavin and Katie Bird share the role of Hanna, while Amy Freston (Valencienne) and Geoffrey Dolton (Zeta) return from the 2010 cast, joined by Nicholas Watts as Camille and Quirijn de Lang as Danilo. Martin André conducts, returning to Opera North following L’enfant et les sortilèges and Osud in The Little Greats season in 2017.
The spring 2019 season in March features a new production of The Magic Flute (12 and 15 with a schools’ matinée on 13), Katya Kabanova (14) and a double bill of The Rite of Spring and Gianni Schicchi (16).
The Magic Flute is directed by James Brining, artistic director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse, and designed by Colin Richmond, following their collaboration for the West Yorkshire Playhouse / Opera North co-production of Sondheim’s Into the Woods in 2016.
Pamina will be played by Ellie Laugharne, Tamino by Kang Wang, Queen of the Night by Samantha Hay, Sarastro by John Savournin, Papageno by Gavan Ring, Papagena by Amy Freston and Monostatos by John Findon. Robert Howarth conducts.
Katya Kabanova is a revival of Tim Alberry’s Hildegard Bechtler-designed production of 2007 and features Rebecca de Pont Davies (Kabanicha), Christopher Turner (Tichon), Katie Bray (Varvara), Alexander Sprague (Kudryash) and Stephen Richardson (Dikoy). Sian Edwards makes her Opera North debut as conductor.
The double bill is a co-production with Phoenix Dance Theatre (Leeds-based, like Opera North and the West Yorkshire Playhouse), who present Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.
Opera North’s contribution is Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, a revival of Christopher Alden’s 2015 production. Charles Edwards designs and Garry Walker conducts a production which includes Richard Burkhard in the title role and Tereza Gevorgyan as Lauretta, Diego Silva as Rinuccio and Rebecca de Pont Davies as Zita.
Finally, on 18 May, Opera North returns to The Sage, Gateshead, with a concert performance of Aida. Annabel Arden, who directed the 2017 concert version of Turandot, returns as director and the cast will include Rafael Rojas as Radamès and Eric Greene as Amonasro. Other casting will be announced later. Sir Richard Armstrong conducts.