David Truslove, Opera Today
“If you’re not familiar with Montsalvatge, there’s no need to worry, for his wonderfully communicative and comic score (not unlike a panto) is packed with engaging tunes”
These dates are all in the past.
Mid Wales Opera’s fifth SmallStages tour kicks off our Fairy Tale season with Catalan composer Montsalvatge’s beautifully crafted one-act version of the familiar tale of ‘Puss in Boots’, El Gato con botas.
Premiered in Barcelona in 1948, and rarely performed, this age-old children’s story tells of the wealth-seeking, match-making cat who, in return for a hat, a sword and a pair of boots, secures for his young master (a lowly miller) a kingdom and a royal marriage to a princess, tricking a slow-witted ogre out of his castle along the way.
From its opening Montsalvatge’s music is energetic, tuneful and full of catchy rhythms, lush melodies and feline musical effects! This new MWO production is perfect for family audiences, and a great way to introduce youngsters to opera. MWO’s production features 5 singers and 5 musicians, singing in English with a new chamber arrangement by Jonathan Lyness. The second half will feature a cabaret-style collection of popular and entertaining musical items featuring all singers and musicians.
Sung in English
Music: Xavier Montsalvatge
Chamber Arrangement: Jonathan Lyness
Libretto: Néstor Luján
English Translation: Richard Studer
Performed by arrangement with Faber Music Ltd, London on behalf of Peermusic Classical.
Opera: 60 mins
INTERVAL
Second half entertainment: 35 mins
Cat: Martha Jones
Miller: Huw Ynyr
King: Philip Smith
Princess: Alys Mererid Roberts
Ogre: Trevor Eliot Bowes
Violin: Elenid Owen
Bassoon: Alanna Pennar-Macfarlane
Trumpet: Jac Thomas
Percussion: James Harrison
Piano: Jonathan Lyness
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Director/Designer: Richard Studer
Music Director: Jonathan Lyness
MainStages 2023
Hansel and Gretel
This new production is sung in English with a cast of young professional singers, together with a chorus of children assembled locally for each theatre.
Thanks to the enormous outpouring of love – and money! – from our friends and supporters, and from opera lovers across the country – and a hugely important grant from Powys County Council’s Shared Prosperity Fund allocation, we are now actively developing our artistic plans for the next two years… find out more …or…