Classical Preview: Divas line up to do battle as banned work reaches stage
Never one to get bogged down with historical facts, it was the fictional meeting between the two queens, Elizabeth and Mary, that caused such a backlash as being far too provocative for Italy in the 1830s.
Today, it has become the scene viewed greedily by great divas who, with venom, can launch into this battle for survival – the great mezzo, Sarah Connolly, taking the part of the beleaguered Mary facing up to the Elizabeth of Antonio Cifrone, the dramatic soprano last seen a couple of seasons ago as Lady Macbeth.
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Hide AdThe Turkish tenor, Bulent Bezduz, sings Leicester, and the young French bass, Frederic Bourreau, takes the part of Talbot.
Opening the season next Tuesday comes the updated production of
La Bohme. Though now set in 1950s' Paris, nothing has changed much – the young still owe money, fall in love, and go out on the town.
It comes with a largely new cast, the young Sarah Fox taking Mimi, with the fine lyric tenor of Aldo Di Toro as Rudolfo.
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Hide AdAlso updated, rather more controversially, is Olivia Fuch's macabre recreation of the mermaid who falls in love with a human prince in Dvorak's opera, Rusalka. It is a passion doomed to tragedy.
Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre, May 4-June 12. 0844 8482706.