A Grand Opera Spectacular Verdi's MACBETH Comes To Adelaide This September

Macbeth is a portrait in music of one of the world's most power-hungry couples.

Review: TOSCA at Opera Theatre Of Saint LouisState Opera South Australia has today announced that it will present Giuseppe Verdi's adaptation of Shakespeare's classic Macbeth at Her Majesty's Theatre in September this year.

This co-production with West Australian Opera, directed by Stuart Maunder, explores Macbeth's themes of power, ambition and fate, highlighted by a score filled with Verdi's signature emotional climax and heart-stopping moments-the result is a grand opera like no other.

Macbeth is a portrait in music of one of the world's most power-hungry couples.

A witches' prophecy leads them down a murderous path, and their ruthless desire to ascend the throne results in unspeakable acts that ultimately drive them to madness.

Maunder said that the dark and twisted tale of Macbeth translates so spectacularly to the opera stage.

"No other composer can match the power, terror and emotional pull of Verdi. This 1847 version comes from a period where Verdi was at the height of his youthful powers.

"Big, bold and full of blood and thunder, our adaptation has stunning sets and lighting, with an all-star cast from across the globe," he said.

Adelaide-born, internationally acclaimed Kate Ladner, famed of this character at the Buxton International Festival, returns home to take on the role of the blood thirsty Lady Macbeth. Her mastery of the vocal powers is unique, and her Lady Macbeth completely bucks the operatic trend of the damsel in distress, rather she is the antithesis of the fallen woman.

Ladner is joined on stage by baritone José Carbό, one of Australia's most experienced Verdi performers, who last performed with State Opera in 2007 and is thrilled to be back in SA to play Macbeth.

"This is a truly harrowing story that brings epic themes to the fore, which are still relevant even today. There are elements and complexities of Macbeth that will resonate in some way with everyone and I'm looking forward to bringing him to life in Adelaide," said Carbό.

"These are two of Australia's most prominent Verdi specialists who perform the most charismatic couple of serial killers in English literature. They are desperate for power and control and will stop at nothing to get it...I can't wait to share this performance with our Adelaide audience," said Maunder.

Adelaide's own Pelham Andrews plays the role of Banquo, alongside Paul O'Neill as the tragic Macduff. A State Opera Chorus of 40 will showcase malevolent witches, displaced refugees and powerful armies.

"The vocal power and scale of this epic chorus results in unforgettable spine-tingling moments. Verdi's operatic interpretation of the story we all know through this score is transcendent," said Maunder.

Having worked extensively across Europe and the UK, Finnegan Downie Dear makes his Australian operatic debut conducting the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

Giuseppe Verdi's grand opera Macbeth is filled with soaring arias, eerie incantations, chilling ensemble pieces and a set and lighting design created to enthrall your eyes as well as your ears.

It is a story that has haunted audiences through the ages. With a grand set and Game of Thrones inspired costumes, the array of characters and events are brought to life in the most dramatic of ways.

"This is Braveheart meets Game of Thrones. If you enjoyed La Traviata last year, you will be rocked to your core by the gripping, emotional experience of this grand opera, Macbeth," said Maunder.

Macbeth premiered in Perth with a string of rave reviews and is set to hit Adelaide for a four-show season in September, with tickets on sale from today. For tickets and more information visit Click Here




RELATED STORIES - Opera

1
Philip Glasss AKHNATEN, Verdis IL TROVATORE & More Set for The Met 2023 Live in HD Sum Photo
Philip Glass's AKHNATEN, Verdi's IL TROVATORE & More Set for The Met 2023 Live in HD Summer Encores

Beginning Wednesday, July 26, the Metropolitan Opera will present Summer Encores of past performances from its acclaimed Live in HD series of cinema presentations.

2
MY FIRST HUNDRED YEARS to be Presented at Edmonton Opera This Month Photo
MY FIRST HUNDRED YEARS to be Presented at Edmonton Opera This Month

Edmonton Opera will present its upcoming cabaret “My First Hundred Years” written by highly acclaimed local talents, Andrew MacDonald-Smith and Stewart Lemoine, in collaboration with Frances Thielmann.

3
Review: THE FLYING DUTCHMAN at Metropolitan Opera Photo
Review: THE FLYING DUTCHMAN at Metropolitan Opera

Thomas Guggeis, the young German conductor making his Met debut, is Kapellmeister at the Staatsoper Berlin and the designated Generalmusikdirektor of the Oper Frankfurt; pretty impressive for one who has yet to hit his 30th birthday!   His Met debut was justly anticipated, as across Europe he is known as something of a Wagner and Strauss specialist.   His performance was well-paced and well-colored and energetic.  The score provides for enormous surges of energy and power, and the orchestra was certainly up to the task, but Guggeis’ rendition while quite good, was perhaps a tad lacking in thrills – the magnificent Wagner bombast was a little timid and the quieter passages were lovely but just a bit bland.   With time and more experience with this orchestra, one can safely expect some exceptional performances in the future.

4
VIDEO: Get A First Look At DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER at the Met Opera Photo
VIDEO: Get A First Look At DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER at the Met Opera

Following his acclaimed 2019 performances as Alberich in the Ring cycle, bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny stars as the accursed Dutchman in Wagner’s eerie drama, alongside incandescent soprano Elza van den Heever as the woman determined to redeem his soul. Get a first look at the cast in action.

More Hot Stories For You

and regionstable.regionsid=52 and LOCATE(',', regionsfield) = 0;

Videos