Role: Eithne Magee

Opera in one act by Alberto Caruso

Libretto by Colm Tóibín

Sung in English

Newly Commissioned Opera

Lady Gregory in America, Tóibín’s third opera, reuniting him with the composer Alberto Caruso, reflects another of the author’s literary fascinations. It’s a portrait of Augusta Gregory, the redoubtable Irishwoman who as founder (together with Y.B. Yeats) of Dublin’s Abbey Theatre was so hugely influential in shaping Irish cultural history. His operatic comedy follows her American adventures with other revolutionary Irish women.

‘On Before’ pays homage to Acosta’s late mother featuring choreography by world renowned artists, including Russell Maliphant, Kim Brandstrup, and Will Tuckett. Acosta will perform as both a soloist and alongside Laura Rodríguez, a founding member of his Cuban dance company, Acosta Danza.

This comedic opera has all the ingredients for a riotous show with its stock-in-trade buffo figures: the aspiring, money-grabbing diva; her mother adept at procuring suitors; an oily, lascivious singing teacher and a wealthy young lover. The opera is conducted by Toby Hessian and directed by Lysanne Van Overbeek.

Role – Don Ettore

Giuseppi Verdi’s Ernani is an operatic dramma lirico in four acts which tells the tragic love story of Elvira, who is caught between three men: her lover, her guardian and the King of Spain. Adrian Kelly conducts this new BIF production with The Orchestra of Opera North, directed by Jamie Manton and designed by Sami Fendall.

Francesco Cilluffo - Conductor

Rosetta Cucchi - Director

Chorus

Conductor - Giorgio D'Alonzo

Stage director - Grace Morgan

Role - La suora infermiera - Helen Maree Cooper

The Land of Might-Have-Been is built around the songs of Ivor Novello and tells a story loosely based on the lives of Vera and Edward Brittain before and during the First World War. The story follows Vera and Roland, and Edward and Bobbie who unexpectedly fall in love over a long, hot summer in Buxton in 1914. The war in Europe shatters all their hopes and dreams but compels Vera into a life-long campaign for peace and equality.

Roles: Debutant, Ensemble, Swing & Cover Stella / Shirley

Ivor Novello arr. Iain Farrington

Michael Williams Book and Lyrics

Kimberley Sykes Director

Iwan Davies Conductor

Iain Farrington Music arranged with additional composition

Michela Meazza Choreographer

Northern Chamber Orchestra

This opera of jilted-love, jealousy and innocence-rewarded was Bellini’s first great masterpiece and remains his most important work, alongside Norma. It premiered in Milan in 1831 and became renowned for its exhilarating melodies and dazzling vocal pyrotechnics.

Chorus

Adrian Kelly Conductor

Harry Fehr Director

Northern Chamber Orchestra

The Land of Might-Have-Been is built around the songs of Ivor Novello and tells a story loosely based on the lives of Vera and Edward Brittain before and during the First World War. The story follows Vera and Roland, and Edward and Bobbie who unexpectedly fall in love over a long, hot summer in Buxton in 1914. The war in Europe shatters all their hopes and dreams but compels Vera into a life-long campaign for peace and equality.

Roles: Debutant, Ensemble, Swing & Cover Stella / Shirley

Ivor Novello arr. Iain Farrington

Michael Williams Book and Lyrics

Kimberley Sykes Director

Iwan Davies Conductor

Iain Farrington Music arranged with additional composition

Michela Meazza Choreographer

Northern Chamber Orchestra