Opera North returns to The Lowry with Love, Loss and Laughter

Opera North returns to The Lowry Theatre in Salford, Manchester with Love, Loss and Laughter this March.

With Puccini’s devastating take on passion and power, Janáček’s bittersweet exploration of the cycle of life, and Strauss’ playful look at what happens when tragedy and comedy collide on and off stage, Opera North’s new season brings memorable characters, compelling drama and incredible music to theatres across the north of England this winter. Alongside the mainstage shows, there will also be over 40 opportunities for young people and their families to engage with opera in theatres, libraries, schools, community arts centres and universities throughout the region.

The season opened at Leeds Grand Theatre in January with Edward Dick’s thrilling production of Puccini’s Tosca, one of the world’s most enduringly popular operas. The singer Tosca is the lover of Cavaradossi, an artist, but has also attracted the attention of Scarpia, the corrupt Chief of Police, who wants her for himself. The opportunity presents itself when Cavaradossi is arrested and tortured for helping an escaped political prisoner. Scarpia offers Tosca a stark choice: if she gives herself to him, he will let Cavaradossi go free. 

Robert Hayward returns to Opera North to sing Scarpia with Giselle Allen sharing the role of Tosca with Magdalena Molendowska.  Ukrainian tenor Mykhailo Malafii makes his Opera North debut as Cavaradossi with Uruguayan tenor Andrés Presno singing the role in Nottingham and Newcastle. Opera North Music Director, Garry Walker, conducts Puccini’s mesmerising score which includes Tosca’s moving paean to art ‘Vissi d’arte’, Caravadossi’s heart-wrenching farewell ‘E lucevan le stelle’, and the powerful hymn ‘Te deum’.

Casts :

Floria Tosca Giselle Allen (excl. 11, 16, 18, 23, 25 Mar)
Magdalena Molendowska (11, 16, 18, 23, 25 Mar)
Mario Cavaradossi Mykhailo Malafii (excl. 16, 18, 23, 25 Mar)
Andrés Presno (16, 18, 23, 25 Mar)
Baron Scarpia Robert Hayward
Cesare Angelotti Callum Thorpe
Sacristan Matthew Stiff
Spoletta Alex Banfield
Sciarrone Richard Mosley-Evans
Gaoler Ross McInroy

Creatives:

Conductor Garry Walker (excl. 2, 16, 18 Mar)
Adam Hickox (2, 16, 18 Mar)
Director Edward Dick 
Set Designer Tom Scutt 
Costume Designer Fotini Dimou
Lighting Designer Lee Curran
Choreographer Maxine Braham

How much are the tickets and how long is the show?

Tickets are priced from £33 to £56.50. 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. The show is in Italian with English titles.   Lasts approximately 2 hours 40 minutes.

How do I book tickets to watch these shows?

To book tickets please call The Lowry at 08432086000 or via their website here. Recommended guidance age is 12+.  Please be aware this production includes depictions of violence including violence against women, murder and suicide.

Where will the performance be held?

The Lowry
The Lyric Theatre
Pier 8
The Quays
Salford
M50 3AZ
Manchester
Tel: 0843208 6000

• 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.
• 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.

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.

You may also want to read this:

Review: La Traviata, An Opera North Production at The Lowry Theatre

Review: Street Scene, An Opera North Production at The Lowry

Review: Opera North’s Madama Butterfly Arrives at The Lowry, Manchester

Photo Credit: The Lowry /Opera North