ENO Continues Revival of Italian Rep With 'Cav & Pag'

ENO continues its revival of Italian repertory with the Company’s first new production of ‘Cav & Pag’ since 1986.  

Following on from Verdi’s Aida, ENO Music Director Edward Gardner leads the Company in another full ensemble piece, featuring the stirring Easter Chorus.  To give fresh life to these two dramas, sometimes referred to as the ‘heavenly twins’ ENO has commissioned two writers to collaborate with director Richard Jones.  T S Eliot Prize-winner Sean O’Brien provides a new translation for Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana (libretto by Guido Menasci & Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti) and Oscar-nominated Lee Hall (Billy Elliot), writes a new translation of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. 

Richard Jones, who has created some of the Company’s most outstanding work in recent years, returns to ENO to direct the double bill. He is joined by designer Ultz, whose collaborations with the director include The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (ENO 2005).  Lighting design is by regular ENO guest, Mimi Jordan Sherin, who recently designed the lighting for Lost Highway and completing the production team is movement director Linda Dobell.

Peter Auty, who made his ENO debut as The Duke Rigoletto (2006) sings Turridu in Cavalleria rusticana and Jane Dutton, who made an impressive ENO debut in autumn 2007 as Amneris Aida (to which she returns in the 2008/09 revival), sings Santuzza. Kathleen Wilkinson, who sang the Neighbour in Jenůfa (2006), returns to ENO as Mamma Lucia.  The rising young baritone Roland Wood returns to ENO to sing Alfio, with Marcello La bohème following later in the Season.  Fiona Murphy, Mercédès Carmen (also the title role, when she sang for an indisposed Alice Coote), sings Lola.

Leading the cast of Pagliacci is Mary Plazas as Nedda.  Her numerous roles with the Company include the title role Madam Butterfly, which she created in Anthony Minghella’s production. She is joined by Welsh tenor Geraint Dodd making his ENO debut as Canio, which he has previously sung for Opera North.  Christopher Purves (last seen at ENO as Sharpless Madam Butterfly 2005), returns to sing Tonio; Mark Stone, whose many roles with ENO include Chou-en-lai Nixon in China, and, most recently, Enrico Lucia di Lammermoor, sings Silvio. Christopher Turner, currently attending the National Opera Studio, joins ENO Young Singers and makes his debut as Beppe.

This new production of Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci forms part of ENO’s 2008/09 Sky Arts Season and opens at the London Coliseum on Saturday 20th September for 10 performances.

Box Office: 0871 911 0200 / online www.eno.org

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