Isabeau

If Opera Holland Park is known for one thing it is our success in reviving works by the giovane scuola composers. From Montemezzi’s L’amore dei tre re (2007) to Wolf-Ferrari’s I gioielli della Madonna (2013), these are scores that only truly come to life on the stage.
 
Mascagni’s operas have been a house speciality since 1997. This year we have what we believe to be the UK premiere of Mascagni’s 1911 opera Isabeau, which will transfer to New York City Opera next year in our first transatlantic co-production. With Francesco Cilluffo conducting, Martin Lloyd-Evans directing, and designs by takis, we have the ingredients for a spectacular realisation of this rarely heard medieval fantasy, with bespoke costumes for every member of the cast and an expanded orchestra.
 
The great soprano Anne Sophie Duprels sings the title role, and is joined by tenor David Butt Phillip, whose performance as Hamlet in Glyndebourne on Tour’s production of Brett Dean’s opera was lauded across the press. Our third major star is the brilliant OHP chorus, which plays a critical role in a drama where fate hangs on the mood of a volatile, oppressed people.