The UK’s leading producer of world-class opera, the English National Opera (ENO) will present a season of magical performances in the Australian premiere season of ENO Screen – a unique cinematic experience that will screen in Australian capital and regional cities throughout 2015.
The Australian premiere programme of ENO Screen features Berlioz’s rarely performed Benvenuto Cellini directed by Monty Python legend Terry Gilliam; Peter Konwitschny’s celebrated production of Verdi’s tragic masterpiece La Traviata; Gilbert and Sullivan’s much-loved comic opera The Pirates of Penzance directed by renowned filmmaker Mike Leigh; radical Spanish theatre director Calixto Bieito’s acclaimed production of Bizet’s vibrant and passionate classic Carmen; and the most significant British opera in more than 200 years, Benjamin Britten’s devastating tragedy Peter Grimes.
The ENO Screen concerts were filmed under the direction of double MTV award-winning director and Grammy award nominee Andy Morahan who has worked with notable artists including Michael Jackson and George Michael. Filmed using a stunning multi-camera HD, ENO Screen will bring the distinctive majesty of the English National Opera to Australian cinema screens for the very first time.
The 2015 season opens on April 18 and 19 nationally with Monty Python legend Terry Gilliam unleashing his inexhaustible imagination on Berlioz’s dazzling opera Benvenuto Cellini. Praised by The Guardian as ‘one of the 10 best classical music events of 2014’, the critically acclaimed production was described as ‘a triumph – exuberantly colourful and inventive. (Daily Telegraph); ‘A stunning night out’ (Mail on Sunday) and ‘The operatic romp of the year’ (The Times). I can forward you a preview Vimeo link to the entire recording as well as offer you review tickets to the screening.
Following on from his award-winning production of The Damnation of Faust, Gilliam, alongside ENO Music Director Edward Gardner, takes on Berlioz’s first completed opera, based on the autobiography of the celebrated 16th Century goldsmith and sculptor Benvenuto Cellini. With stunning visual and musicals set pieces such as the Mardi Gras carnival, it tells the story of thwarted love, elopement, intrigue, disguise and mistaken identity. The opera features some of Berlioz’s most vibrant and tender music.
A stellar cast was assembled for this new production, led by rising tenor Michael Spyres in the title role, with the stunning soprano Corinne Winters as Cellini’s lover, Teresa. ENO favourite Willard White returns to the company to add Pope Clement VII to his already extensive list of roles
Since its foundation in 1931 English National Opera has built an international reputation for producing ground-breaking stagings of new and core repertoire and for its exceptionally high musical standards. ENO’s unique approach of performing classic and contemporary operas in English (with English subtitles) has made opera accessible and enjoyable for audiences of all ages.
For information on venues, dates and booking details visit www.potentialfilms.com