English Touring Opera Returns To Storyhouse

English Touring Opera (ETO) return to Storyhouse in March with a cast that combines internationally celebrated stars and exciting young singers with local talent, supported by a full-scale live orchestra and large chorus.

Following opening nights in London, the Olivier Award-winning company begins its spring tour at Storyhouse, performing the breakthrough works of two of history's greatest opera composers, Verdi and Mozart.

English Touring Opera comes to Storyhouse with a double bill - Verdi's Macbeth on Friday 15 March 2019, and Mozart's Idomeneo on Saturday 16 March 2019. Tickets are on sale.

Singing the role of Banquo in Macbeth is bass-baritone Andrew Slater (previously Glyndebourne, Scottish Opera, BBC Live), who has a strong personal connection to Chester.

Andrew Slater said: "My mum was a Chester girl and I went many times to St Oswald's Church (now called St Thomas'), sitting with my maternal grandmother in the choir. My Mum went to the Queen's School and my Dad to the King's School, so I'm looking forward to returning to perform in Chester."

The witches have a prophecy - Macbeth will be King, but the crown comes at a terrible price of betrayal, murder, and revenge. The blood-soaked path to power is followed by two characters who are among the very finest created by Shakespeare. Grant Doyle appears as Macbeth, with Madeleine Pierard as Lady Macbeth. Suitable for audiences aged 12 upwards. There is a pre-show talk at 6.30pm before the performance at 7.30pm.

James Dacre, Artistic Director at the Royal and Durngate, returns to Shakespeare with Macbeth following his critically acclaimed 2015 Globe Theatre production of King John. Making his ETO debut as director, Dacre will have the task of realising what was the first of Verdi's great adaptations of Shakespeare (Othello and Falstaff followed). ETO will perform Andrew Porter's English version of the libretto, which preserves much of the original Shakespeare, conducted by Gerry Cornelius.

Idomeneo explores royalty, high ideals and deep emotions, and remains one the greatest of Mozart's 'opera seria' (serious operas). Returning from the Trojan War and caught in the midst of a storm, King Idomeneo promises the raging seas that he will sacrifice the first person he meets in return for his safe passage. But cruelly, the first person he encounters is his only son, Idamante. The rivalry between the princesses Ilia and Elettra for the heart of Idamante, coupled with a king's ill-fated promise provide a rich, emotional drama and unforgettable music. Idomeneo will be directed by ETO General Director James Conway, and conducted by Jonathon Peter Kenny. The opera will be sung in Italian with English surtitles. Suitable for audiences aged 12 upwards. There is a pre-show talk at 6.30pm before the 7.30pm performance.

Tickets for both English Touring Opera shows are priced between £20.50 and £35. Each ticket is subject to a £1.50 booking fee.

Storyhouse has a dynamic pricing policy on the majority of shows, ensuring the earlier you book your tickets, guarantees the best seats at the lowest price.

The online version of the Storyhouse spring season 2019 brochure can be viewed by visiting https://issuu.com/storyhouselive/docs/storyhouse_spring_19