Rameau's Dardanus, Hackney Empire
A rare chance to catch an 18th-century masterpiece performed in suitably atmospheric surroundings
Tenor Anthony Gregory sings the title role in Dardanus. Photo: Natalie J Watts
The king of the gods, Jupiter has a son, Dardanus. Dardanus is in love with Iphise. But Iphise is the daughter of his enemy, Teucer...
Star-crossed lovers from warring houses are nothing new, but when the French composer Jean-Philippe Rameau set about making an opera of this doomed love affair, he called on all his considerable powers of musical innovation. The result is an opera that is unjustly neglected, in the eyes – and ears – of many.
To set things straight, English Touring Opera presents the first performance in the UK of the 1744 version of Dardanus. The opera is best known for the heart-breaking aria “Lieux funestes”, sung by the Dardanus. Fans of Rameau's contemporary composer Handel will feel very at home here.
In the ETO single performance at Hackney Empire on the company's nationwide autumn tour, the role of Dardanus is sung by the fast-rising tenor Anthony Gregory. Gregory made his mark in the five-star A Midsummer Night's Dream at Glyndebourne in 2016. Next year he sings Don Ottavio in a new Richard Jones production of Don Giovanni in Oslo.
The role of Iphise is sung by Galina Averina, who last year won second prize in the annual London Handel Festival's prestigious and career-making Handel Singing Competition.
The opera is conducted by Jonathan Williams and directed by Douglas Rintoul, with designs by Cordelia Chisholm.
Dardanus is sung in French with English surtitles.
English Touring Opera's residency at Hackney also includes performances of Handel's Giulio Cesare, in two parts. Claim a 20 percent discount when two operas are booked at once, and 25 percent when three operas are booked together.
Star-crossed lovers from warring houses are nothing new, but when the French composer Jean-Philippe Rameau set about making an opera of this doomed love affair, he called on all his considerable powers of musical innovation. The result is an opera that is unjustly neglected, in the eyes – and ears – of many.
To set things straight, English Touring Opera presents the first performance in the UK of the 1744 version of Dardanus. The opera is best known for the heart-breaking aria “Lieux funestes”, sung by the Dardanus. Fans of Rameau's contemporary composer Handel will feel very at home here.
In the ETO single performance at Hackney Empire on the company's nationwide autumn tour, the role of Dardanus is sung by the fast-rising tenor Anthony Gregory. Gregory made his mark in the five-star A Midsummer Night's Dream at Glyndebourne in 2016. Next year he sings Don Ottavio in a new Richard Jones production of Don Giovanni in Oslo.
The role of Iphise is sung by Galina Averina, who last year won second prize in the annual London Handel Festival's prestigious and career-making Handel Singing Competition.
The opera is conducted by Jonathan Williams and directed by Douglas Rintoul, with designs by Cordelia Chisholm.
Dardanus is sung in French with English surtitles.
English Touring Opera's residency at Hackney also includes performances of Handel's Giulio Cesare, in two parts. Claim a 20 percent discount when two operas are booked at once, and 25 percent when three operas are booked together.
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| What | Rameau's Dardanus, Hackney Empire |
| Where | Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London, E8 1EJ | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Hackney Central (overground) |
| When |
On 06 Oct 17, 7:30 PM – 10:15 PM |
| Price | £10 - £35 |
| Website | https://hackneyempire.co.uk/whats-on/rameau-dardanus/ |