A scene from Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni
Opera North prepares to open its winter production with this double bill of the ever-popular Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana and Rachmaninov’s rarely heard Aleko.
The two works are perfect companion pieces, both written when their composers were young and both exploring, with devastating insight, the obsession and jealousy ignited by seeing a previous lover in the arms of another.
Many of the cast take roles in both works, including Robert Hayward, who sings Alfio in Cavalleria rusticana and the title role in Aleko, Andrés Presno appears as Turiddù before the interval and Young Lover after, and Anne-Marie Owens who returns to Opera North to take on the roles of Lucia in Cavalleria rusticana and Baboushka in Aleko. Opera North Principal Guest Conductor Antony Hermus conducts.
The double-bill operas will be heading to The Lowry Theatre in Salford, Manchester this March.
A scene from Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni
Cavalleria rusticana
Turiddù and Lola were once lovers; but when he left to join the army, Lola married another man. Although Turridù finds consolation in the arms of Santuzza, his obsessive passion for Lola still burns fiercely. Thus the stage is set for a tale of faithlessness, jealousy and violence, set in a rural community where the church maintains an iron grip on the souls of its people.
A celebrated overnight success in its day, Cavalleria rusticana spearheaded the verismo movement which demonstrated that ordinary people can have opera-sized emotions too. Mascagni displays a masterly control of pacing, conveying a taut, gritty drama through a succession of gorgeously lyrical melodies. With a score that includes the famous Easter Hymn and Intermezzo, Cavalleria rusticana remains for many the very essence of Italian opera.
Cast
Santuzza Giselle Allen
Turiddù Andrés Presno
Alfio Robert Hayward
Lucia Anne-Marie Owens
Lola Helen Évora
Creatives
Conductor Antony Hermus & Harry Sever
Director Karolina Sofulak
Set and Lighting Designer Charles Edwards
Costume Designer Gabrielle Dalton
Movement Director Tim Claydon
A scene from Aleko by Rachmaninov
Aleko
Rachmaninov’s first opera is a story of emotion run riot. In the past, Aleko turned his back on the restrictions of conventional society and joined a marginalised community where he fell in love with a young woman, Zemfira. But her love for him has grown cold and she finds solace in the arms of a young lover. Driven on by the unforgiving code of honour he has inherited, Aleko exacts a bloody vengeance for this betrayal.
Composed when he was just 19 years old, Rachmaninov’s passionate score displays the rich orchestral palette familiar from his piano concertos and symphonies, as well as his unparalleled gift for melody – nowhere more so than in Aleko’s moving Cavatina. Karolina Sofulak’s new production shares the bill with Cavalleria rusticana, and is designed as a companion piece for Mascagni’s equally youthful masterpiece.
Cast
Aleko Robert Hayward
Zemfira Elin Pritchard
Young Lover Andrés Presno
Baboushka Anne-Marie Owens
An Old Man Matthew Stiff
Creatives
Conductor Antony Hermus & Harry Sever
Director Karolina Sofulak
Set and Lighting Designer Charles Edwards
Costume Designer Gabrielle Dalton
Movement Director Tim Claydon
How much are the tickets and how long is the show?
Tickets are priced from £23 to £72. Through the Try it ON scheme, newcomers to opera can also enjoy some of the best seats in the house with two tickets for £20 each at Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham. Under 30 or a full-time student? Tickets are only £10 with Opera North’s Under 30s membership.
Cavalleria Rusticana will be sung in Italian with English titles with a running time of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes while Aleko will be sung in Russian with English titles with a running time of approximately 1 hour.
How do I book tickets to watch these shows?
To book tickets please call The Lowry at 08432086000 or via their website here.
What are the timings?
The show will be running on Wed, 20 March and Friday, 22 March 2024. Show will start at 7pm on both dates and there will be an Audio Described performance on the Friday.
Where will the performance be held?
The Lowry
The Lyric Theatre
Pier 8
The Quays
Salford
M50 3AZ
Manchester
Tel: 0843208 6000
Notes:
- The Lowry welcomes all visitors regardless of their disability and strives to meet all individuals needs where possible.
- They welcome assistance dogs.
- The Lowry website is fully accessible and features BrowseAloud. Browsealoud adds speech, reading and translation support, facilitating access and participation for those people who need support reading print, dyslexia, low literacy, mild visual impairments and those with English as a second language. To use this feature, simply click on the grey ear logo located in the footer.
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If you are driving to the show, we would recommend for you to park at The Lowry Outlet which is opposite the theatre, but be aware as there is lack of signage from the car park area to the theatre, so best to ask someone or use google maps to find your way.Pre paid car parking tickets can be purchased up to 24 hours prior to your performance. Please note they are unable to sell pre paid tickets on your performance date, and you will need to pay at the ticket machines in the car park. The tickets can be booked at the same time as your seats via their website, or over the phone on freephone 0343 208 6000. The cost is £6.50. This allows you to park for the day.
A scene from Aleko by Rachmaninov
About The Lowry Theatre
The Lowry is a registered charity committed to using visual and performing arts to enrich people’s lives. They present audiences with a diverse programme of theatre, opera, musicals, dance, music, comedy and visual art as well as events and activities to expand the horizons of audiences and artists alike. At the heart of their work is a commitment to the local communities and young people. Tapping into the work on their ur stages and in their galleries, they offer thousands of free creative participation opportunities each year. They are passionate about nurturing talent, developing creative professionals of the future and raising aspirations.
About Opera North
Opera North is a national opera company based in Leeds, and is a leading UK arts organisation. Rooted in the North of England, international in outlook, they create extraordinary experiences, every day. Their award-winning work tours to theatre stages and concert halls throughout the North and beyond, including to London and major international festivals, and they curate an eclectic artistic programme of gigs, concerts, spoken word and film in the Howard Assembly Room. Their aim is to make bold, innovative, ambitious work and share it in new ways. Opera North believes opera and music is for everyone and champions diversity in artists, repertoire and audiences. Opera North Education connects with communities and inspires each generation, aiming to enhance the health and well-being of people in the communities where we work through arts participation and performance. Opera North is grateful for the generous support of Arts Council England and Leeds City Council, sponsorship from the private sector, trusts and individuals, the Friends of Opera North, the Opera North Future Fund and the box office income from its audiences, which allows us to continue to mount our award-winning work.
Cast of Cavalleria Rusticana and Aleko
You may also want to read this:
Review: Opera North’s Madama Butterfly Arrives at The Lowry, Manchester
Review: Opera Norths Verdi’s Falstaff at The Lowry in Salford
Review: Opera North’s La Bohème at The Lowry, Salford Quays
Photo Credit: The Lowry /Opera North/Tristram Kenton
