Metropolitan Opera at the Roses

A brand new 2012 season of thrilling performances from New York’s famous Metropolitan Opera will be shown live, in full high-definition glory, at the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury.

Opera lovers across Gloucestershire will appreciate the thrill of seeing a Metropolitan Opera performance live from New York, when the latest season of stunning performances are shown on the Roses Theatre’s big screen in Tewkesbury.

Selected cinemas across the country will be broadcasting the Metropolitan Opera’s 2012 season of operas in high-definition, live from the Met’s famous Diamond Circle in New York as part of The Met: Live series.

As well as watching the full length operas, screenings include specially produced features which give audiences a unique look behind-the-scenes – including interviews with artists, directors and stage managers, as well as short Met documentaries.

The big screen transmissions offer an opportunity for Gloucestershire residents to experience world-class opera on the doorstep – whether you’re a dedicated fan or are curious to give the art form a first time try.

Plus, for hardened fans, The Roses is offering a special offer price of £15 per ticket when purchased for three or more operas in the season.

Enchanted Island

Saturday 21 January 2012 at 5.45pm

Described as an extraordinary new work fit for fans of Baroque opera, The Enchanted Island sees the lovers from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream shipwrecked on his other-worldly island of The Tempest.

Sung in English, promoters say: ‘Inspired by the musical pastiches and masques of the 18th century, the work showcases arias and ensembles by Handel, Vivaldi, Rameau, and others, and a new libretto by Jeremy Sams’.

Under the direction of conductor William Christie, the cast includes David Daniels as Prospero and Plácido Domingo as Neptune.

Gotterdammerung

Saturday 11 February 2012 at 5pm

An operatic marathon spanning six and a half hours (and two intervals), is the fourth and final opera in Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

Organisers say: ‘We first hear a dire warning from the Three Norns that the world of the gods is soon coming to an end. We then rejoin the lovers Siegfried and Brünnhilde in their mountain refuge just as Siegfried is about to set off on his adventures, leaving Brünnhilde her the Ring, not knowing that it gives the wearer power but carries a deadly curse.’

In this stunning production sung in German, Deborah Voigt stars as Brünnhilde and Jay Hunter Morris as Siegfried, with Fabio Luisi conducting.

Ernani

Angela Meade is set to take centre stage in the thrilling Italian gem Ernani, with the cast also including Marcello Giordani, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Ferruccio Furlanetto.

Based on the play Hernani by Victor Hugo, this is one of Verdi’s early works which is sure to please classical fans from across the county and beyond.

Manon

Saturday 7 April 2012 at 5pm

Laurent Pelly’s new production of Massenet’s French opera travels to the Met from London’s Royal Opera House, when organisers promise Anna Netrebko will give a dazzling portrayal of the tragic heroines.

Piotr Beczala and Paulo Szot also star in this latest live Met Opera screening at The Roses, with conductor Fabio Luisi on the podium.

La Traviata

Saturday 14 April 2012 at 5.45pm

Verdi’s ever popular La Traviata promises Roses audiences a spectacular feast of Italian operatics at its best in Willy Decker’s stunning new production for The Met.

Natalie Dessay will be starring as Violetta, with Matthew Polenzani singing as Alfredo and Dmitri Hvorostovsky as Germont. Fabio Luisi will be conducting.