An Opera Zuid Production in collaboration with Buxton International Festival, featuring the Buxton International Festival Orchestra.
It’s 1800 and Leo – a down-on-his-luck impresario, Mozart fan, and comfort eater of little Dutch pancakes – has been tasked with putting on an opera. It should be easy. But what will the opera be and who will star in it? Meanwhile, there’s a jump-in singer from Bucharest, a tenor who’s trying to seduce the soprano, warring divas, and a director with an idiotic concept. It could all be happening in the present day – and, as it turns out, much of it is.
‘It’s a comedy about putting on an opera. Part play, part opera, part satire and part Mozart’s greatest hits, with added Dutch pancakes!’ – Christopher Gillett, Director
Mozart was part-way through composing The Marriage of Figaro when he was ordered to create this one act comedy by Joseph II. The Emperor was hosting an elaborate party for visiting dignitaries and wanted to stage a competition between a singspiel and an Italian opera for the after-dinner entertainment. Mozart was commissioned to create the former and thus Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario) was first performed on 7 February 1786 in the grand orangery of the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. The work was up against the composer Salieri’s one-act opera Prima la musica, poi le parole.
Director Christopher Gillett has transformed Mozart’s original singspiel into a full-length theatrical experience, by adding new dialogue and incorporating some of Mozart’s greatest works. His newly written English script brings fresh energy and contemporary satire, creating a version that is playful and fun and that blends sharp comedy with Mozart’s brilliant music.
Music by W A Mozart, libretto by J G Stephanie. Spoken text, in English, by Christopher Gillett. Sung in German and Italian with English surtitles.
CREATIVE TEAM
Dame Jane Glover, Iwan Davies Conductors
Christopher Gillett Director
Joyce Henderson Associate Director
Bretta Gerecke Designer (Set and Lighting)
Leo van den Boorn Costume Designer
Adam McDonagh Repetiteur
Joep Hupperetz Artistic Assistant and Dramaturg
CAST
Richard McCabe Leo
Nazan Fikret Madame Herz
Jane Burnell Mademoiselle Silberklang
Conor Prendiville Monsieur Vogelsang
Dan D’Souza Buff
Owain Rowlands John
Joyce Henderson Lisa
Jamie MacDougall Dan
Evie Jessica Hopkins
Click here for more information on the cast.
Running time: 1 hour and 45 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
