Video/Photo Preview: Opera & Ballet International Presents AIDA, LA BOHEME and NABUCCO, May 3-6

AWARD-WINNING opera producer Ellen Kent returns to Manchester following critically acclaimed tours of Carmen, Tosca and Die Fledermaus, bringing an opera festival of three new productions, boasting magnificent new sets. Aida with the grandeur of Egypt, La Boheme, the most romantic opera of all and Nabucco - the most special and iconic opera of all. Not to be missed!

VERDI AIDA, May 4 and 5

Starring the French soprano Olga Perrier and the International soprano Alyona Kistenyova as Aida and Zara Vardanean, the American mezzo-soprano as Amneris

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Introducing Houdini the 9 year old Andalusian black stallion from AB Film Horses who will star in the famous Triumphal March scene with Radames (Giorgio Meladze). Houdini has graced the stages of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden and has numerous film credits to his name!

Aida, the grandest of all Ellen Kent's operas, returns in Spring 2017 to the UK with a stunning new traditional production, boasting an impressive new set built by Set-Up Scenery in the UK, who also build sets for the Royal Opera Covent Garden.

In Aida, the splendour of Egypt is set against the grandeur of the Coliseum of Rome with Ellen Kent's direction influenced by the ancient Greek dramas of Euripides and symbolising the powerful religious hold of the priests of Egypt.

This tragic story of war, jealousy and revenge at whose heart is the doomed love of the beautiful Ethiopian slave girl, Aida, and the Egyptian hero, Radames, is brought to life in a production set against one of the greatest pieces of music Verdi ever wrote with the well-known arias "Celeste Aida", "Ritorna Vincitor" and the classic "Triumphal March" featuring a temple dance, cascades of glittering gold, magnificent 7 foot tall black, ebony statues with gold replicas from the Tutankhamen collection, huge set and many other authentic additions with spectacular dancing Poi fire spinners.

Ellen said: "I have produced and directed many Aida's over the years and it still remains the biggest challenge a producer can face. I have staged many sell out performances of Aida's at the Royal Albert Hall with a cast of 100's, with ticket touts outside selling tickets to those who still wanted to see the show, arena and outdoor Aida's in the middle east and in the UK and in many regional theatres from Liverpool Empire to Limerick Concert Hall in Ireland. My vision of Aida, matches Verdi's vision and I try and give Aida the grandeur which Verdi achieved in the first production in Egypt when he was commissioned to write an opera for the opening of the Suez Canal and premiered in Cairo1871. From dancing alabaster fountains, Las Vegas style and made in India, life size bejewelled elephants, walls of fire, fire spinners, ballet and Bedouin dancers, enormous sets which have to fit into large to smaller spaces and now for the first time I am introducing a black stallion into the larger venues. I want all my public to enjoy the grandeur of this magnificent opera, in my opinion the best score Verdi ever wrote - not an easy task. My Aida's have been described as "The Las Vegas of operas" which I regard as a compliment. "Even now, it's my ambition to stage Aida on the banks of the Nile with a cast of thousands."

The tour, which includes operas Nabucco and La Boheme, features celebrated international soloist sopranos Olga Perrier, Alyona Kistenyova and the stunning international American mezzo-soprano Zara Vardanean who will be returning after her critically acclaimed performances of Carmen in 2015 and 2016, the Spanish tenor Giorgio Meladze and Vitalii Liskovetskiy from the Ukrainian National Opera, Kiev.

The French soprano Olga Perrier together with the international soprano from the National Ukrainian Opera of Odessa Alyona Kistenyova will be singing the part of Aida. Alyona returns after her spectacular success in Madama Butterfly, Tosca, La Traviata, Carmen and Die Fledermaus in 2015/2016. The international tenors Giorgio Meladze and Vitalii Liskovetskiy are also returning on Ellen Kent's tour after their previous huge success in the UK. The Spanish Tenor Giorgi Meladze, has acquired critical acclaim in Europe, singing in Milan, Spain and across Europe. Both tenors will be singing the part of Radames. Ellen Kent has invited the stunning American mezzo-soprano Zara Vardanean who will be returning after her critically acclaimed performances of Carmen and Die Fledermaus in 2015 and 2016. Iurie Gisca, the celebrated Moldovan baritone returns after his critically acclaimed performance of Escamillo in Ellen Kent's Carmen to sing Amonasro, king of Ethiopia.

Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

*Cast subject to change

VERDI NABUCCO, May 4

Starring Olga Perrier*, the international French Soprano, as Abigaille and the American mezzo-soprano Zara Vardanean as Fenena

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Introducing Houdini the 9 year old Andalusian black stallion from AB Film Horses who will star as Nabucco's war horse (Iurie Gisca as Nabucco, will ride in on Houdini in the temple of Jerusalem scene and in Act 111 set in Babylon. Houdini has graced the stages of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden and has numerous film credits to his name!

Ellen Kent & Opera International are delighted to be bringing back Verdi's epic Nabucco. This iconic production is an Ellen Kent special, and is one Ellen Kent's favourite operas and is always an emotional experience for her, having been the first opera Ellen Kent ever produced. As a mark of celebration Ellen has mounted a grand scale opera, with a large cast, including dancers, international soloists, orchestra and a specially selected chorus and has invited many extras from the cities and towns and the much-loved stage schools, throughout the UK and Ireland in a monumental production not to be missed.

A spectacular traditionally-staged production featuring magnificent sets built by Set Up scenery who also build sets for the Royal Opera in the UK. Stunning new lighting and stage effects including the burning down of Solomon's temple and an exotic dance sequence have been added to the production. Nabucco is the monumental tale of revenge, destruction and jealousy, set against the backdrop of the Hebrews being forced from their homeland into exile. The opera follows the plight of the Hebrews as they are conquered and sentenced to death by the Babylonian King Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar).

In 1993, for the British premiere of her first opera, Ellen flew over 200 members of the Romanian National Opera in Ceausescu's plane which was kindly lent to Ellen by the President of Romania to perform Nabucco against the backdrop of Rochester Castle in Kent. The Romanian flag flew from battlements with an audience of 7000. Va Pensiero, the haunting and melodic chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, was sung with the Romanian chorus forming a map of Romania as a statement of their freedom from their own tyrant, Ceausescu. 7000 people stood to their feet to applaud at the end of Va Pensiero for 10 minutes. It was at this moment that Ellen decided she was definitely going to become an opera producer. Since 1993, Ellen Kent's Nabucco has played to many theatres, including memorable performances at the Royal Albert Hall.

Nabucco is the monumental tale of revenge, destruction and jealousy, set against the backdrop of the Hebrews being forced from their homeland into exile.

Verdi wrote this opera as a cry against the tyranny of the world and for freedom for all those who are oppressed by tyrants. We have included some amazing stage pyrotechnics for the burning down of the temple, the collapsing God and for the scene where Nabucco goes mad.

Verdi composed Nabucco just after his wife and children had died, but saw it as the opera with which his artistic career really began. A choir of 800 sang Va Pensiero (Chorus of the Hebrew slaves) at his burial.

The French soprano Olga Perrier will be premiering in the UK, singing the part of Abigaille. She is currently living in Paris, France and has sung in France, Italy, the UK and Ireland and many other theatres in Europe.

Starring Iurie Gisca, the celebrated Moldovan baritone as Nabucco. Iurie returns after playing to excellent reviews as Escamillo in Carmen in 2015/2016 and Nabucco and Amonasro in Ellen Kent productions of Aida and Nabucco.

Introducing Vadym Chernihovskiy, the young and talented bass from the Odessa National Opera as Zacharia. Vadym won the first prize at the prestigious St. Petersburg Opera Singing Competition held by the Mariinsky Theatre. A singer to look out for!

The international Spanish tenors Giorgio Meladze and Vitalii Liskovetskiy are also returning on Ellen Kent's tour after their previous huge success in the UK. Both tenors will be singing the part of Ismaele.

Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

*Cast subject to change

PUCCINI LA BOHEME, May 3

Introducing the International soprano Alyona Kistenyova as Mimi and starring Olga Perrier, the international French Soprano as Musetta

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AWARD-WINNING opera producer Ellen Kent brings one of the most romantic operas ever written to the stage in her new tour, traditionally staged featuring beautiful sets and costumes. The set reflects the Bohemian art of the period and will include a brass band, snow effects and Musetta's dog will also make an entrance.

Puccini's masterpiece, La Boheme, is based on Henri Murger's novel Scenes de la vie de boheme. Set in Paris, it focuses on the love between seamstress Mimi and poet Rodolfo.

The powerful and emotional La Boheme is the tragic tale of hopeless romance between the doomed, consumptive Mimi and penniless writer Rodolfo.

After falling in love instantly, Rodolfo later leaves Mimi due to her flirtatious behaviour, although he wracked by guilt since their life together has probably worsened Mimi's delicate constitution. In true tragic opera fashion, the pair reunite briefly at the end before Mimi dies.

Ellen said: "The scene when Mimi and Rodolfo meet and she sings They Call Me Mimi always makes me cry. It's a lovely piece of music.

"I try to do opera that the audience can emotionally connect with, not just on a musical level but with the personal drama happening on the stage."

Ellen was inspired by reading George Orwell's book "Down and out in Paris", in her depiction of the extreme poverty in the backstreets and attics of Paris.

The French soprano Olga Perrier together with the international soprano Alyona Kistenyova are returning to star in this production. The international tenors Giorgio Meladze and Vitalii Liskovetskiy are also returning on Ellen Kent's tour after their previous huge success in the UK. The Spanish Tenor Giorgio Meladze, has acquired critical acclaim in Europe, singing in Milan, Spain and across Europe. He also sang in Austria together with Jose Carreras in 2014. Giorgio will be singing the part of Rodolfo

This classic tale of Parisian love and loss features many famous arias including 'Your Tiny Hand is Frozen', 'They Call Me Mimi' and 'Musetta's Waltz'.

Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

* Cast subject to change.

For tickets or more information, visit: atgtickets.com/Manchester

Box Office: 0844 871 3019*

*fees apply