21/08/2019
Venice is brought to life in David McVicar’s dazzling new Royal Opera production of Britten’s Death in Venice
© Millenium Images
The Royal Opera’s new production of Benjamin Britten’s Death in Venice brings a dark realism to the story of a burnt-out writer obsessed with youth and desire, while surrounded by pestilence, disease and death. David McVicar’s intensely
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atmospheric production features a spectacular set by Vicki Mortimer, which will bring Venice to life, complete with an authentic Venetian gondola.
Troubled writer Gustav von Aschenbach seeks inspiration in Venice’s beauty, guided by a Traveller who takes on a plethora of different roles, from an Elderly Fop to the leader of a Group of Players to the Voice of Dionysus. As plague threatens the city, Aschenbach becomes increasingly obsessed with a Polish boy staying at his hotel. Based on a novella by Thomas Mann, Death in Venice was made into a multi- award-winning film starring Dirk Bogarde in 1971, which has become an internationally renowned classic.
Death in Venice is the first of two Britten operas performed in the 2019/20 Season as part of The Royal Opera’s ongoing Britten cycle. The outstanding cast includes British tenor Mark Padmore as Aschenbach and Canadian bass-baritone Gerald Finley, who celebrates 30 years performing with The Royal Opera. British countertenor Tim Mead sings the Voice of Apollo, and the opera will also feature dancers, notably in the role of Tadziu, the boy who so fascinates Aschenbach, alongside a host of superb singers in smaller roles.
Internationally renowned British conductor Mark Elder returns to The Royal Opera to conduct Britten’s final opera, an embodiment of the composer’s fascination with Venice, which he explores in more detail in Insights: Mark Elder on the Music of Death in Venice on 6 November 2019 in the Clore Studio. The Insights programme provides talks, masterclasses, open rehearsals and a variety of backstage opportunities to find out more about the world class productions performed at the Royal Opera House.
Death in Venice opens on 21 November 2019, with subsequent performances on 26 and 30 November and 3 and 6 December 2019. The Royal Opera House’s Britten cycle continues with The Turn of the Screw in the Linbury Theatre in June 2020.
ENDS
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NOTES TO EDITORS 1. For further information or interview requests please contact Antonia Channer and Ann Richards 2. For images or press ticket requests please contact Hannah Last
DEATH IN VENICE
21, 26 and 30 November and 3 and 6 December 2019 at 7.30pm
Co-production with Volksoper Wien Generous philanthropic support from Hamish and Sophie Forsyth, Charles Holloway, the Britten Syndicate and The Royal Opera House Endowment Fund. Sung in English with English surtitles
Credits
Music Benjamin Britten Libretto Myfanwy Piper Director David McVicar Designer Vicki Mortimer Lighting designer Paule Constable Choreographer Lynne Page
Performers
Conductor Mark Elder Gustav von Aschenbach Mark Padmore Traveller/Elderly Fop/Old Gerald Finley Gondolier/Hotel Manager/
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Hotel Barber/Leader of the Players/Voice of Dionysus Voice of Apollo Tim Mead Tadziu Leo Dixon Lady of the Pearls Elizabeth McGorian Jaschiu Olly Bell Strawberry Seller Rebecca Evans Lace Seller Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha Danish Lady Elizabeth Weisberg English Lady Katy Batho Russian Nanny Rosie Aldridge German Mother Hanna Hipp Russian Spinster Amanda Baldwin French Mother Rebecca Lodge Birkebaek Hotel Porter Colin Judson Boy Player Andrew Tortise Glass Maker Sam Furness Steward Andrew O’Connor English Clerk Dominic Sedgwick German Father Michael Mofidian Lido Boatman ByeongMin Gil Russian Father Dominic Barrand
Royal Opera Chorus Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
About The Royal Opera The Royal Opera, under the artistic direction of Antonio Pappano, Music Director, and Oliver Mears, Director of Opera, is one of the world’s leading opera companies. Based in the iconic Covent Garden theatre, it is renowned both for its outstanding performances of traditional opera and for commissioning new works by today’s leading opera composers, such as Harrison Birtwistle, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Thomas Adès.
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About the Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House’s aim is for many more people to enjoy and engage in exceptional ballet and opera. As The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, we bring together the world’s most extraordinary ballet and opera artists in more than 500 performances every year: live events that thrill, move and excite, and that transport people to other worlds though music, dance and theatre.
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