Opera production spreads its wings

Published: 8 February 2013
Reporter: David Upton

Tosca featuring golden eagle Nabucco

Nabucco, a golden eagle with a 6ft wingspan, is set to steal the limelight in opera director Ellen Kent’s production of Tosca at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool next month.

The seven-year-old bird of prey, nicknamed Mouse, will appear in just a handful of extra-special performances around the UK.

Nabucco, who was bred in captivity, is already in training for his time in the spotlight with falconer Derek Tindall, who will be accompanying him on tour.

Puccini’s Tosca is the epic tale of true love and treachery featuring torture, murder and suicide alongside some of opera’s best-known music—and now a golden eagle. Set in Rome and based on a play by Victorien Sardou, it was once described as a “shabby little shocker”.

In preparation for the current tour and her new staging, Ellen took a trip to Puccini’s house in Italy. She said: “I suddenly realised that in my view, I have been doing what Puccini would have liked and wanted. It felt like meeting somebody I knew.”

Her shows also feature children from a local stage school and another four-legged performer, Max the donkey, who will take centre stage in Carmen.

These new shows mark the return of Opera and Ballet International as Ellen revives her role as promoter after a four-year break.

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