If we asked you to explain what you think of when the word 'opera' is mentioned, what would you think?
Lots of music? Absolutely. In a foreign language? Quite possibly. Funny costumes? Well, sometimes. Expensive tickets? Not necessarily.
But what about exciting drama? Magical poetry? Heart-breaking stories? Laugh out loud comedy, and sublime melodies that will send tingles down your spine and bring tears to your eyes? They will all feature from Tuesday (November 8) at Milton Keynes Theatre.
This package has got it all: Mozart’s dark comedy Don Giovanni (opening scene, cold-blooded murder) and a first for Glyndebourne with Puccini’s great tragedy, Madama Butterfly (get the tissues out).
And this year there’s a very special addition to the programme aimed at anyone who is nervous about taking the plunge into this most, some say, mysterious art form.
Paul Rissmann writes music, talks about music and inspires others to make and perform their own music. Safe to say, he’s passionate about music. Which is why he is the perfect frontman for Don Giovanni: Behind the Curtain, a peek at all the stuff you don’t normally get to see. So while it’s true that Paul will be demystifying opera itself, you can expect insights into the workings of some of the more workaday elements of Glyndebourne Tour on the road.
For example, in Don Giovanni there’s a need for blood and prosthetics; “and of course” says Glyndebourne’s Head of Wigs, Sheila Slaymaker, “some of the hair pieces need to become 'drunk and disorderly’.”
The setting for Don Giovanni has been updated to the 1950s, so head of makeup, Sarah Piper, has gone for Hollywood glamour: “We’ve sourced shades of lipsticks from that era and used products that would have been around at the time - such as cream puffs!” And in case you thought that the music would be taking a back seat in this performance, the evening will culminate in an extended excerpt from the end of Act II of Don Giovanni.
And if, as you’re sitting in the audience, you think you might recognise somebody you know on stage it’ll be with good reason; for the first year ever Glyndebourne will be working with a local choir that will join the cast, chorus and orchestra on stage during the final act of Don Giovanni: Behind the Curtain.
Talk about getting a lot for your dollar!
Performances run as follows:
Don Giovanni
Tue (Nov 8) & Fri (Nov 11) 7.15pm
Madama Butterfly
Wed (Nov 9) & Sat (Nov 12) 7.15pm
Don Giovanni: Behind the Curtain
Thur (Nov 11) 7.15pm
To make a booking click here
