| Opera productions & Classical Performances | | |
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NIGEL
KENNEDY QUINTET (Symphony
Hall) |
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| Sunday
21st September 2008 - 7pm |
For
over 25 years, Nigel Kennedy has been acknowledged
as one of the world’s leading violin
virtuosos and is, without doubt, one of
the most important violinists Britain has
produced. His virtuostic technique, unique
talent and mass appeal have brought fresh
perspectives to the classical, contemporary
and jazz repertoire. On the Very Nice Tour,
Kennedy performs with his jazz group, the
Nigel Kennedy Quintet. The band met in Nigel’s
adopted city of Krakow in Poland and is
made up of some of Europe’s finest
exponents of jazz, from the ever-inventive
rhythm section of drummer Pawel Dobrowolski
and bassist Adam Kowaleski to the fluent
soloing of pianist Poitr Wylezol and the
muscular tenor sax of Tomasz Grzegorski.
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to
book by phone, call |
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symphony
hall |
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also recommend... |
0121
780 3333 |
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| THE MIKADO - CARL ROSA OPERA COMPANY | | | Tuesday 23rd to Saturday 27th September 2008 - 7.30pm | The most popular Gilbert and Sullivan opera, and arguably the most popular opera ever written. This opera has delighted audiences for more than a century, and spawned a number of imitations. But none were nearly as good as the original, which represented both Gilbert and Sullivan at the height of their creative geniuses. More infomation to follow. Tickets on sale Friday 6th June. Matinee performance on Wednesday & Saturday at 2.30pm. (back to top) | | | to book by phone, call | | alexandra theatre | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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| LA BOHEME (Ellen Kent International) (Alexandra Theatre) | | | Sunday 19th October 2008 - 7.30pm | | Verdi's Tosca performed by Ellen Kent Opera International. La Bohème is one of the most romantic operas ever written. This is a classic tale of Parisian love and loss, boasting many famous arias including Your Tiny Hand is Frozen, They Call Me Mimi, and Muzetta’s Waltz. The set reflects the Bohemian art of the late 19th Century, with a stunning Cubist design backdrop and costumes by one of Russia’s leading designers Alexandr Krivoshein who has worked at the Bolshoi and Kirov. The carnival scene will include dancers and street entertainers providing fantastic colour and recreating the romantic atmosphere of this Parisian love story. (back to top) | | | to book by phone, call | | alexandra theatre | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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| KATHERINE JENKINS (The NIA) | | | Friday 12th December 2008 - 6pm | | Katherine Jenkins was the biggest selling classical artist of 2004. This is not surprising, given that she is the first mezzo-soprano to break the top 20 pop charts and the only artist ever to have scored two number one albums in the classical charts in the same year. (back to list) | | | to book by phone, call | | national indoor arena | | we also recommend... | 0871 945 6000 | | | |
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| MITRIDATE, RE DI PONTO - WNO (Birmingham Hippodrome) | | | Wednesday 27th May 2009 - 7pm | Sir Charles Mackerras, WNO's Conductor Emeritus and former Music Director (1987 - 92), returns to the company to conduct this concert performance of Mozart's Italian opera seria (drama opera). Mitridate, rè di Ponto (Mitridates, King of Pontus), was commissioned for Carnival 1771. He was just 14 when he wrote this three-act opera but those who pre-judged his work harshly because of his youth were silenced by the first performance. Mitridate tells a serious story yet is full of musical vigour and charm. There are many beautiful surprises in this richly varied music, with heartbreaking arias as well as glittering orchestration and florid vocal lines. Reminiscent of the ornate operas of the baroque, in its finest moments, Mitridate also foreshadows Mozart's later operatic masterpieces. Mitridate, the King of Pontus who long defended his empire against the Romans, and his son Farnace are real historical characters, but the plot - in which loyalties are tested in love and in war - is fiction. In Welsh National Opera's concert performance the music will speak for itself - freeing your imagination to be suggestible to the power and passion of the work. Tickets on sale from Monday 2nd June at 9pm. (back to top) | | | book by phone, call | | birmingham hippodrome | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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| THE QUEEN OF SPADES - WNO (Birmingham Hippodrome) | | | Friday 29th May 2009 - 7pm | An operatic masterpiece and one of Tchaikovsky's greatest works, The Queen of Spades was written in just 44 days. The Queen of Spades is based on Alexander Pushkin's novella, a short masterpiece about a man who loses his fortune and his mind to cards. Herman, an army officer becomes obsessed with learning the secret of the three cards from the Countess. The Countess - who is known as The Queen of Spades - can only reveal the secret to three men wihout facing death. She has already told two men the secret, so cannot answer Herman's question. His obsession costs him dearly - possessions, the womanhe loves and ultimately his own life. When WNO first performed this work, it was highly praised by both critics and audiences. Tickets on sale from Monday 2nd June at 9pm. (back to top) | | | book by phone, call | | birmingham hippodrome | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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| LA BOHEME - WNO (Birmingham Hippodrome) | | | Thursday 28th & Saturday 30th May 2009 - 7.15pm | For decades WNO's production of this poignant Puccini opera has touched generations of audiences all over the UK and internationally, most recently in Hong Kong. A new production is planned for the near future - so this is your last chance to see this adored WNO classic. Living in romantic poverty, this musical story of love and hardship among the bohemians has touched generations of audiences with its universal poignancy, appeal and supreme melodic beauty. Two love affairs bring renewed excitement to the lives of four poverty-stricken bachelor artists. The affair between Mimì and Rodolfo blossoms but is cruelly blighted by Mimì's tuberculosis. The opera contains one of the most famous of Puccini's arias - 'your tiny hand is frozen.' Tickets on sale from Monday 2nd June at 9pm. Matinee performance on Saturday at 2.15pm. (back to top) | | | book by phone, call | | birmingham hippodrome | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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