TOO HOT TO HANDEL Comes to London Pleasance, July 15

A world-premier created by a Royal Opera House and Glyndebourne artist is embarking on a UK-wide tour this July, culminating in a performance at London Pleasance on 15th July. World-renowned countertenor William Towers has teamed up with Armonico Consort, and following the success of their last opera – Monteverdi's Flying Circus - this brand new show will "see some of the most incredible music by Handel brought to life in an innovative and highly entertaining context."

Armonico Consort have established a reputation for the creation of new operas, taking the very finest works of the past, and working them into a new structure, bringing the music to life for a modern audience.

Too Hot to Handel will be performed in English, and the new libretto written by William Towers tells the tale of the meeting, the courting, the love, and troubles between two key characters, played by himself and world-famous soprano Yvette Bonner. Dynamic stage direction from Emma Rivlin utilises puppetry and site specific performance, culminating in a production which spans from the riotously funny and to the devastatingly moving.

Opera Magazine described Rivlin's direction as 'ingenious' and said 'Towers' coloratura... while mixing vodka and aftershave was a joy'

William has recently performed Handel's Rinaldo with Glyndebourne for the BBC proms. He comments: 'I have been working with Christopher Monks and Armonico Consort ever since he and I were at university together. I was in their first performances of Fairy Queen . I also had a chance to be a 'roasting swan' in their recent performance of Carmina Burana at the RSC with their symphony orchestra and 300 children from their AC Academy Choirs.'

'I wanted to find a way of bringing to life the incredible but sometimes little heard music of Handel and open it out to audiences who may not have heard it previously. Within the new opera we include: 'Ombra mai fu' (Xerxes), 'Va tacito' (Giulio Cesare), 'Piangero' (Giulio Cesare), 'Lascia ch'io pianga' (Rinaldo), and 'Ah Stigie Larve' (Orlando) amongst many others, and give some of them a totally new meaning, whilst being as faithful as possible to the original score! Working with the instruments of the period, and the Consort's brilliant players, I think the combination will be perfect.'

'Christopher and I have been challenging each other for years to come up with the most outrageous titles, and were quite pleased when we came up with this one, especially given the context of the play!'

For tickets, please visit www.pleasance.co.uk/islington or call the Pleasance Box Office on 020 7609 1800.

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