THREE ELLEN KENT OPERAS TO PLAY AT RICHMOND THEATRE IN 2024
22 JAN, 23 JAN & 18 MARCH
This World Opera Day, Richmond Theatre announces that award-winning producer Ellen Kent returns to the venue in Spring 2024 with the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv presenting three stunning classical productions of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Bizet’s Carmen and Verdi’s La Traviata.
Ellen Kent’s Madama Butterfly, winner of the ‘BEST OPERA AWARD’ by the Liverpool Daily Post Theatre Awards, returns in a new production with exquisite sets including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan. One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results. Highlights include the melodic ‘Humming Chorus’, the moving aria ‘One Fine Day’ and the unforgettable ‘Love Duet’. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
Bizet’s masterpiece, Carmen, is an evening of passion, sexual jealousy, death and unforgettable arias. Carmen is the story of the bewitching gypsy girl whose tantalising beauty lures a soldier to desertion and leads to her own murder. The opera includes some of the most evocative and best-loved melodies in opera –The Habanera, The Seguidilla, The Flower Song, The Chanson Bohème and perhaps the best-known baritone aria of all The Toreador’s Song. The stunning set reflects the magnificent architecture of Seville with its Roman and Moorish influences, which includes the main square, the bull ring and the famous tobacco factory. The set was built for Ellen Kent in England by Setup Scenery, who also build sets for the Royal Opera Covent Garden. Sung in French with English surtitles.
La Traviata, the tragic tale of searing passion and memorable music, is Verdi’s outstanding interpretation of one of the most popular love stories of the 19th century, La Dame aux Camelias. Based on a true story, it tells of the passionate loves and life of the consumptive courtesan, Violetta. There are many echoes of Verdi’s own life in Traviata and he threw himself into the music. The highlights include the Brindisi, the best-known drinking song in opera, the duet Un Di Felice and Violetta’s haunting aria Addio Del Passato. This magnificent production boasts sumptuous sets and costumes. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
Alike Ellen’s past UK and Ireland opera tours, Ellen personally hand-picks and directs all soloists to create visually beautiful and moving productions. Ellen Kent said ‘I am delighted to be working with the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv again after the huge success of the spring 2023 tour. I started working with Ukraine in 2000 and have continued these strong relationships ever since, working with the Odessa National Opera for which I was awarded The Golden Fortune Honorary Medal from the President of the Ukraine, as well as the Kharkiv National Opera and for the last couple of years with the brilliant Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv.’