Sunday 2 July, 5.00pm
Images © Lucy J Toms. Artists: Galina Averina & Alex Jones; Sofia Kirwan-Baez.
Orlando Jopling, conductor / Guido Martin-Brandis, director
Adina Galina Averina
Nemorino Thomas Elwin
Belcore James Atkinson
Dulcamara Alex Jones
Gianetta Sofia Kirwin-Baez
Lauretta Rebecca Milford
with The Wild Arts Ensemble
Wild Arts, in their debut at Thaxted Festival, bring their trademark effervescent storytelling to Donizetti’s opera The Elixir of Love. One of the great Italian operas, premiered in 1832, it is full of tunes, romantic arias and mischievous comedy. Peasant Nemorino is madly in love with Adina. But she’s wealthy, popular and beautiful and he doesn’t dare to declare his love. After twists and turns in the plot, and several misunderstandings, a happy conclusion is reached.
Orlando Jopling, Founder and Artistic Director of Wild Arts, has conducted at the Royal Opera House and Royal Ballet, recently working on Tosca, Cavalleria Rusticana, Giselle and Coppélia. He says of Wild Arts: ‘We take risks, playing opera and symphonic repertoire as chamber music, collaboratively, and in unusual locations. We mix incredibly talented young musicians with the expertise of musicians who have performed on the great world stages.’
The performance will be fully staged in costume, sung in English by a stunning cast from major opera houses, directed by Guido Martin-Brandis, with chamber orchestra conducted by Orlando Jopling. Rising star soprano Galina Averina is not to be missed!
There will be a long interval for picnics in Thaxted’s Conservation Garden, in Margaret Street, close to the Church.
‘A fine young cast excel, with engaging energy and superb singing.’ The Guardian. Click to read the Guardian review of Wild Arts’ Così fan Tutti, 2022, which played to packed houses.
‘Wild Arts’ opera evenings are of a breathtakingly high, ROH-level musical standard – gorgeous musicians and mischievously well-acted. I’d follow them anywhere.’ Libby Purves
This concert is sponsored by friends of Thaxted Festival who wish to remain anonymous.
There will be a long interval for picnics in Thaxted’s Conservation Garden, in Margaret Street, close to the Church. Places can be reserved at £2 per person when booking tickets for the opera through the button above. (Proceeds will contribute to the upkeep of the Conservation Garden, which is maintained by volunteers.) The Garden will be open from 4.00pm to allow you to set up places. You are advised to bring your own chairs, tables, rugs, etc., but there will be a very limited number of seats at a communal table, on a first-come, first-served basis.
There will be a pay-bar from 4.00pm, courtesy of Friends of Thaxted Church, but you can of course bring your own refreshments. The Garden will be secured during the opera, so you can leave your items there from 4.00pm and collect them at the end of the performance. The picnic area will be stewarded, and the return for the second half of the performance will be announced. There will also be opportunities for dining in a selection of Thaxted’s hospitality venues, and details will be posted here before the Festival season.