Opera: May - June 2005
First time in the UK The Lowry proudly presents the UK premiere of
The China National Beijing Opera Company
Wed 11 – Sat 14 May
Featuring spectacular settings and costumes and representing a unique centuries-old cultural tradition, the China National Beijing Opera Company arrives at The Lowry as part of their very first UK visit.
Founded in 1955 – but the inheritor of a tradition going back to the 13th century – China National is the most respected opera troupe in China. For their Lowry visit, the company is led by the outstanding male and female stars of the day, Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu.
Beijing Opera is one of the most fascinating of art forms - a blend of stylised dance, drama, music, mime and acrobatics, here performed by the world’s best interpreters of this unique entertainment.
The works on the programme are specially chosen to illustrate the dazzling range and athleticism of the company, and include Forest of the Wild Boars, Suicide with a Golden Brick, At The Crossroads and the famous Chinese epic The Legend of the White Snake.
Magnificent traditional costumes, elegant and brilliant, hand-crafted and heavily embroidered, help add spectacle to an unmissable experience.
Sung in Mandarin with English surtitles.
Times 7.30pm
Tickets £15 - £35. Concessions £3 off.
Book for two or more performances and receive £4 off selected seats.
Carl Rosa Company
The Merry Widow
Tue 28 June – Sat 2 July by Franz Lehár.
Original book and lyrics by Victor Leon and Leo Stein
New translation for Carl Rosa by Jeremy Sams
It’s the heady champagne days of Paris 1912, where wealth and elegance meet sensuality and pleasure. The scene is set for Hanna, a rich and glamorous widow, to play her dangerous dating game and with the unexpected arrival of her first love - the handsome young Danilo - buried passions are re-ignited, firing a tempestuous test of love and past betrayal. With Lehár’s passionate score, soaring voices, sensuous waltzes and glittering Parisian couture, Carl Rosa present an intoxicating evening of sensational musical theatre. This new production boasts a company and orchestra of fifty artists and features a fresh new translation.
Times 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mats 2.30pm
Tickets £16 - £22. Concessions £2 off
Matinee Funday Sat 2 July, pre-matinee workshop for all the family with musical sing-a-longs and drama games, 10.30am – 12pm. Join the cast for tea approx 30 mins after the show, matinee ticket holders only, £6 (£5 Salford residents) for adults and children.
Post matinee show talk, Weds 29 June, free to ticket holders.
Posted on Friday, 18 March 2005 under Press Theatre Press