English Touring Opera, Lighthouse Poole
LIGHTHOUSE Poole will showcase two English Touring Opera performances inspired by the works of Shakespeare.
Throughout the centuries, composers have been influenced and by Shakespeare’s work, and English Touring Opera are set to perform with two pieces to fire the imaginations of opera fanatics and newcomers alike.
What Dreams May Come is a new studio piece drawing on hundreds of years of music inspired by and adapted from Shakespeare’s plays and poetry to depict the joys and sorrows of a long life well-lived. Mixing puppetry with music by Purcell, Gerald Finzi and more, performed by a chamber ensemble, this new production explores the timeless appeal of Shakespeare’s words and characters for composers and audiences throughout history.
Director Valentina Ceschi said: “What Dreams May Come is a bridge between the worlds of theatre and opera. It explores many big themes like love, loss, meaning of life, death and what it means to be human.“
“It uses an eclectic mixture of music – from art songs to mesmeric choral pieces – performed using puppetry and physical storytelling, all inspired by Shakespeare’s words, worlds and characters.”
Meanwhile the next production, entitled The Capulets and The Montagues is a tale of two households at war and of two lovers in over their heads, doomed by the conflict between their families. A story of loyalty and love put to the test amidst political violence, Vincenzo Bellini’s gritty reworking of Romeo and Juliet remains a fresh, vital take on a well-loved story that brings the warring families’ emotional and political struggle to life with devastating power.
Composed in just six weeks, Bellini took an old libretto by his friend Felice Romani and created a tragic masterpiece that catapulted him back to international renown after the failure of his previous opera.
Director Eloise Lally revealed the opera will be performed in the original Italian with English subtitles. She continued: “Audiences can look forward to this design transforming as the story deconstructs. If you think you know Romeo and Juliet, think again.”
English National Opera will perform What Dreams May Come on Friday 25th April in the Sherling Studios and Bellini: The Capulets and The Montagues on Saturday 26th April. Tickets are from £23. For information and bookings visit www.lighthousepoole.co.uk or contact the box office on 01202 280000.
