A DOUBLE-BILL of opera is on offer at the Swan Theatre as Opera Worcester take to the stage with their latest opera production.
Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) and I Pagliacci (The Clowns) will be staged at the iconic city venue from Thursday to Saturday (May 4).
Although the operas are by different composers, these two one-act Italian operas are usually performed together and are two short stories about the inhabitants of a small Sicillian village in the last century.
The cast comprises of singers from all over the region and includes professional, semi- professional and accomplished amateur singers. The main protagonists feature professional tenor Rob Forbes who last sang with Opera Worcester in 2016 in Carmen.
Rob sings ‘Turiddu’ in Cavalleria Rusticana opposite Worcester-based singer Rebecca Fearnley as Santuzza. In I Pagliacci, Mike Faulkner sings Canio opposite Opera Worcester’s principal soprano, Patricia Head, who sings the role of Nedda.
Other supporting roles are taken by promising young baritone Laurie Standish Hayes (Tonio), John Davidson (Beppe), Phil Joseph (Silvio), newcomer Jo Williamson (Mama Lucia), Rachel Prudden (Lola) and Tim Cranmore (Alfio).
Director Andrew Rawle said: “Both operas remind me of a British television soap opera, but the Italians did it first, and much better! The stories are intense and passionate, full of jealousy and illicit relationships, yet all set to the most beautiful music.
“I can promise there will be surprises to the very last second. You’d better stay to the end,” he added.
Performances are at 7.30pm on Thursday and Friday with a matinee performance only on Saturday at 2.30pm.
Call the Worcester Live Box Office on 01905 611427 for more.
