The UK’s leading touring opera company makes a welcome return to the Everyman next month with a triple bill, including rarely performed works by two of the best-loved opera composers, Mozart and Puccini, alongside a truly ‘fantastic’ new opera, specially aimed at families.
Fantastic Mr Fox, written by Tobias Picker with libretto by Donald Sturrock, is based on the classic children’s story by Roald Dahl. This charming opera brilliantly brings to life, the story of the sinister farmers battling with a family of foxes. Written for adults and fox cubs alike and suitable for ages 7 and upwards, it is funny, virtuosic, accessible and engaging. Taking to the stage will be pupils from three local primary schools, playing a skulk of Fox Cubs and a Chorus of Trees. Some new characters have been added and others expanded, to create a really exciting family opera.
Il Tabarro (The Cloak) and Gianni Schicchi are two short operas by Puccini and couldn’t be more different: one is a moody romance ending in a grotesque murder on a barge in Paris and the other is a sparkling comedy about a family inheritance in Florence. Composed by a mature master of drama and character, these two operas are Puccini at his best. Both are sung in Italian with English surtitles.
La Clemenza di Tito by Mozart completes the triple bill and is one of Mozart’s final works and arguably his most magnificent. Its epic story of terrorism, betrayal and forgiveness is set in blazing colours. Written for the Emperor’s coronation in Prague, Mozart regarded it as a “true” opera – beautiful and moving – and wrote it for the finest singers of his day. It is sung in English.
English Touring Opera has gained a first-class reputation for their innovative and energetic performances of the classics and for commissioning new and exciting operas. They regularly tour the UK and abroad and have received critical acclaim for their accessible approach.
ENGLISH TOURING OPERA
Tuesday 5th – Saturday 9th April
Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ
FANTASTIC MR FOX – Tuesday 5th April, 7pm
IL TABARRO & GIANNI SCHICCHI (Puccini) – Thursday 7th and Friday 8th April, 7.30pm
LA CLEMENZA DI TITO (Mozart) – Wednesday 6th and Saturday 9th April, 7.30pm
Tickets: £14 - £25 plus booking fee, available from the Box Office on 01242 572573 or online 24 hours a day at www.everymantheatre.org.uk
For more information and to request interviews and review tickets, please contact Francesca Goddard on 01242 236700
