This Season sees the third and final instalment of our Verdi trilogy, the rarely performed Les vêpres siciliennes. This new production brings with it a brand new concept with use of both traditional and contemporary styles; recycling the three interlocking partitions that formed the roots of the first two productions, La forza del destino and Un ballo in maschera - a complete contrast to our last production of the opera back in 1954.
Director David Pountney returns to complete the trilogy, conducted by WNO Conductor Laureate Carlo Rizzi and Gareth Jones and we also welcome a whole host of new and returning artists including Jung Soo Yun as Henri and Anush Hovhannisyan as Hélène.
If you’re joining us for this in-depth conversation on Sunday 26 January, you’ll find yourself right inside our latest new production.
David Pountney will be joined by Carlo Rizzi, Anush Hovhannisyan and Jung Soo Yun to give you a glimpse at the process of realising a new production – from the inspiration behind the staging to the rehearsal process, from preparing a role to embodying a character.
As we’ve already mentioned one of the recurring themes in the trilogy is the set, beautifully designed and realised by Raimund Bauer. The theatre walls of Un ballo in maschera become empty frames for Verdi’s first grand opéra, Les vêpres siciliennes, each carefully framing the rumbling tension between the Sicilian patriots and the occupying French forces. Not familiar with the story? Get better acquainted with the plot before joining us for an inside scoop on the set.
Any burning questions? Ask away. The Insight will end with a Q&A session, where you can ask anything you wish about the production, the cast, creative and/or the music. Our Opera Insight is free, but ticketed, and should last around 75 minutes.
The Verdi Trilogy is a co-production with Oper de Stadt Bonn and is supported by the WNO Verdi Syndicate.
Patron of the Verdi Trilogy: His Excellency The Italian Ambassador.