Award-winning producer Ellen Kent returns to Manchester Opera House this spring with the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv presenting stunning classical productions of Verdi’s La Traviata, Bizet’s Carmen, and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.
As usual, Ellen has personally hand-picked and directed all the soloists to create visually beautiful and moving productions – complete with a highly-praised chorus and full orchestra.
She explained: “I am delighted to be working with the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv again after the huge success of the spring 2023 tour.
“Since 2000, I have been working closely with Ukraine and maintaining strong relationships with the Odesa National Opera, the Kharkiv National Opera, and the Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv.
“For my work with the Odesa National Opera, I was honoured with The Golden Fortune Honorary Medal by the President of Ukraine.”
Bizet’s Carmen
Bizet’s masterpiece, Carmen, is an evening of passion, sexual jealousy, death and unforgettable arias.
It is the story of the bewitching gipsy girl whose tantalising beauty lures a soldier to desertion and leads to her own murder.
The opera includes some of the most evocative and best-loved melodies in opera – ‘The Habanera’, ‘The Seguidilla’, ‘The Flower Song’, ‘The Chanson Bohème’ and perhaps the best-known baritone aria of all ‘The Toreador’s Song’.
The stunning set reflects the magnificent architecture of Seville with its Roman and Moorish influences, which includes the main square, the bull ring and the famous tobacco factory.
The set was built for Ellen Kent in England by Setup Scenery, who also built sets for the Royal Opera Covent Garden.
This wonderful production will star Ukrainian mezzo-sopranos Natalia Matveeva and Irina Sproglis.
Carmen will be sung in French with English surtitles. Directed by Ellen Kent.
Puccini’s Madama Butterfly
Ellen Kent’s Madama Butterfly, winner of the ‘Best Opera Award’ by the Liverpool Daily Post Theatre Awards, returns in a new production.
It boasts exquisite sets featuring a spectacular Japanese garden as well as fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan.
One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of a beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results.
Highlights include the melodic ‘Humming Chorus’, the moving aria ‘One Fine Day’ and the unforgettable ‘Love Duet’.
In Madama Butterfly, the fabulous Korean soprano Elena Dee returns alongside Ukrainian soprano Alyona Kistenyova and Ukrainian mezzo-sopranos Natalia Matveeva and Irina Sproglis.
Madama Butterfly will be sung in Italian with English surtitles. Directed by Ellen Kent.
Verdi’s La Traviata
La Traviata, the tragic tale of searing passion and memorable music, is Verdi’s outstanding interpretation of one of the most popular love stories of the 19th century, La Dame aux Camelias.
Based on a true story, it tells of the passionate loves and life of the consumptive courtesan, Violetta.
The highlights include the ‘Brindisi’, the best-known drinking song in opera, the duet ‘Un Di Felice’ and Violetta’s haunting aria A’ddio Del Passato’.
This magnificent production boasts sumptuous sets and costumes and stars Korean soprano Elena Dee and Ukrainian soprano Alyona Kistenyova.
La Traviata will be sung in Italian with English surtitles. Directed by Ellen Kent.
Book now
Tickets for La Traviata (January 10, 2024), Carmen (January 11, 2024) and Madama Butterfly (January 12, 2024) at Manchester Opera House are available from www.atgtickets.com/opera-house-manchester
