Welsh National Opera

Jan 11 2008 by Karen Price, Western Mail

touring

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karen price

FANS of Bryn Terfel have just one chance of seeing him perform in a major opera role this year – and luckily it’s right on the doorstep for his Welsh supporters.

For the world-famous bass baritone is appearing in Welsh National Opera’s production of Falstaff before spending the rest of 2008 concentrating on concerts and TV work.

Tickets for Falstaff have therefor, quite understandably, been like gold-dust, as they were when he played the title role in The Flying Dutchman for WNO two years ago.

Verdi's librettist described Falstaff as “a huge burst of laughter" and the opera – the composer’s last – is a great comedy.

Based on the character in Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, Falstaff is “a liar, a braggart, a coward, a glutton” but utterly delightful in his pursuit of women and good living, while trying to avoid taking responsibility.

The opera, in which Terfel, pictured, plays the title role, reunites him with director Peter Stein and conductor Carlo Rizzi. There will be a gala preview at the Wales Millennium Centre on St David’s Day of the opera which will be sung in Italian. It will later go on tour, although Terfel will only be appearing in Cardiff, Llandudno and Birmingham. Roberto de Candia will take over in the other cities, including Swansea.

The cast also includes Janice Watson, Christopher Purves, Imelda Drumm, Anne-Marie Owens and Terfel’s good pal Rhys Meirion among others.

WNO’s season actually opens on February 15 with The Magic Flute featuring Welsh Grammy Award-nominated soprano Rebecca Evans.

Mozart’s productions features a glorious mix of myth, ritual and pantomime, with melodies as enchanting as the plot is mysterious.

A combination of the sublime and the mysterious, characters include the heroic, noble Prince Tamino, a radiant Princess Pamina, a scene-stealing birdcatcher, who eventually finds his love match and the seductive three ladies.

It is packed full of operatic favourites, including one of the most spectacular of operatic arias – Queen of the Night.

The Magic Flute is directed by Dominic Cooke – the director of the Royal Court, London – and includes designs from Julian Crouch.

The other spring production from WNO is a revival of its dark, macabre and wickedly funny, Olivier award-winning Hansel and Gretel – a grown-up exploration of the classic fairytale.

The stage is set when Hansel and Gretel's mother arrives home to find her children insatiably ravenous. She snaps and drives them out into the forest where they are punished for many things, including not finding food.

Sung in English, the opera once again features Rebecca Evans, but this time as Gretel. And, coincidentally, the singer has just been nominated for a Grammy for a recording she was involved with of Hansel and Gretel.

The season features a great mix of treats for both seasoned opera-goers and for those who have never been before but fancy giving it a go.

For details of Welsh National Opera’s new season, ring 029 2063 5000 or visit the website at www.wno.org.uk