English Touring Opera return to York Theatre Royal this April

English Touring Opera are returning to York Theatre Royal this April with two operas, Manon Lescaut (19 April) and The Rake’s Progress (20 April). Both operas will be performed in English with English surtitles. They also return to the York Theatre Royal Studio with another opera for children, The Great Stink (20 Apr).

Manon Lescaut was a breakthrough hit for its composer Giacomo Puccini and now Jude Christian, fresh from a critically acclaimed Titus Andronicus at The Globe’s Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, brings incisive direction and a sharp, poetic new translation to this radical new production, while ETO Music Director Gerry Cornelius conducts. Packed with memorable music and drama.

Manon Lescaut is a devastating depiction of a woman wrestling with her desire for love on her own terms and the rigid double standards imposed on her by society. Her struggle will take her through cities, across oceans, and even to prison. Featuring themes of tragedy, betrayal, ironies of fate and society’s hypocrisy.

Leading the cast are Jenny Stafford (Manon), Aidan Edwards (Lescaut), Gareth Dafydd Morris (Des Grieux), Edwardd Hawkins (Geronte) and Brenton Spiteri (Edmondo).

The second night of ETO at YTR brings Igor Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress. Helmed by Polly Graham, Artistic Director of Longborough Festival Opera, and the highly regarded conductor and composer Jack Sheen, this new production is a cynical but sympathetic tale of a young man’s fall. 

Young Tom Rakewell’s quiet life with his sweetheart Anne is turned upside down when the mysterious Nick Shadow comes to his door with whispers of wealth and luxury. But Tom soon finds out that the Devil finds work for idle hands, and that the promises of London life aren’t what they seem. 

Leading the cast of this dark comedic opera are Frederick Jones (Tom Rakewell), Jerome Knox (Nick Shadow) and Nazan Fikret (Anne Truelove) as it explores love, loss, corruption, naivety and hubris. 

There are free preshow talks before each show with members of the ETO creative team who will provide insights into the creative process, what to expect and give audience members a chance to ask questions. 

Praise for Manon Lescaut: 
‘Jenny Stafford sings gleamingly as Manon and Gareth Dafydd Morris brings a burnished tenor to Des Grieux’ 
The Guardian 

‘The orchestra under Gerry Cornelius caught the way Puccini’s immortal score flips on a sixpence from tenderness to uproarious energy’ 
The Telegraph 

Praise for The Rake’s Progress: 
‘ETO’s Rake is insightful, entertaining and of high quality: do not miss it.’ 
Seen and Heard International 

‘Admirably played under the direction of Jack Sheen by an excellent orchestra that captures its thrusting energy’ 
The Times 

English Touring Opera are also bringing a new show for kids: The Great Stink. Inspired by Victorian London, this is a hilarious, fun-filled family show about poo… lots of it. Brought to life with singers, musicians, puppets, and interactive moments, children will get to meet Queen Victoria, Prime Minister Disraeli, and even the Thames himself. 

Written by Hannah Khalil and composed by Omar Shahryar (The Extraordinary Adventures of You and Me), The Great Stink is the second in ETO’s series of operas about climate change and the environment, exploring water pollution and the way we dispose of sewage today. 

This brand-new opera will be directed by Valentina Ceschi (Il Viaggio a Reims, The Firebird) and designed by Sam Wilde (Shh! We have a plan). 

York Theatre Royal 19 and 20 Apr
Box Office 01904 623568 | yorktheatreroyal.co.uk