Lighting Designer

Opera Holland Park is thrilled to present a captivating double bill that intertwines the themes of comedy and tragedy through the lens of jealousy, featuring "Il segreto di Susanna" by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari and "Pagliacci" by Ruggero Leoncavallo. This extraordinary event is set to take place in July and August 2024, offering multiple performances that promise to enchant and provoke thought among its audience.

"Il segreto di Susanna" is a sophisticated comedy that explores the misunderstandings and secrets between a newlywed couple, with a plot that anticipates the screwball comedies of the 1930s. Its counterpart, "Pagliacci," presents a darker narrative of love, betrayal, and revenge within a troupe of traveling performers, culminating in a dramatic and bloody conclusion. This juxtaposition of Wolf-Ferrari’s elegant comedy against Leoncavallo’s harrowing tragedy offers a unique theatrical experience that showcases the diverse emotional landscapes of opera.

The productions boast a talented cast including Clare Presland, Richard Burkhard, and John Savournin, who reunite for John Wilkie’s stylish revival of "Il segreto di Susanna." David Butt Philip, celebrated as the leading tenor of his generation, makes his role debut as Canio in "Pagliacci," under the direction of Martin Lloyd-Evans and conducted by Francesco Cilluffo. The performances also feature Alison Langer as Nedda and Harry Thatcher as Silvio, promising exceptional vocal and dramatic presentations.

Performances are scheduled from July 17th to August 3rd, 2024, with evening shows at 7.30pm. Tickets are available in various bands, offering options for every budget, with prices ranging from £24 for INSPIRE tickets to £175 for Premier seats. Members can enjoy savings of up to £8 per ticket, highlighting the benefits of membership with Opera Holland Park.

This event is not only a celebration of opera but also an exploration of the human condition, performed in Italian with English surtitles to ensure accessibility for all attendees. The City of London Sinfonia and the Opera Holland Park Chorus will accompany the performances, adding to the grandeur and emotional depth of the evening.

Opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike are invited to experience this blend of humor, drama, and music under the summer sky at Opera Holland Park, promising an unforgettable journey through the complexities of love and jealousy.

Il segreto di Susanna / Pagliacci

Opera Holland Park

### Event Description: Opera Holland Park: Double Bill with City of London Sinfonia

#### Event Overview
Opera Holland Park presents a captivating double bill featuring Wolf-Ferrari’s "Il segreto di Susanna" and Leoncavallo’s "Pagliacci." This unique pairing contrasts the elegant comedy of a honeymoon with the shocking tale of a double murder, both driven by themes of sexual jealousy.

#### Performances
- **Il segreto di Susanna**: A sophisticated comedy where Gil suspects his wife Susanna of infidelity due to the scent of a cigarette, only to discover her secret is not what it seems. This production is a revival of John Wilkie’s stylish 2019 staging, featuring Clare Presland, Richard Burkhard, and John Savournin.
- **Pagliacci**: A dramatic story where Canio, a clown, seeks revenge on his unfaithful wife Nedda and her lover, leading to a tragic conclusion. David Butt Philip makes his role debut as Canio, with Alison Langer as Nedda and Harry Thatcher as Silvio. This new production is directed by Martin Lloyd-Evans and conducted by Francesco Cilluffo.

#### Key Details
- **Dates**: July 17, 2024 - August 3, 2024
- **Location**: Opera Holland Park
- **Ticket Prices**: £24 - £175 (plus booking fee)

#### Performance Schedule
- **July 17, 7:30 PM**
- **July 20, 7:30 PM**
- **July 23, 7:30 PM**
- **July 25, 7:30 PM**
- **July 27, 7:30 PM**
- **July 30, 7:30 PM**
- **August 1, 7:30 PM**
- **August 3, 7:30 PM**

#### Additional Information
The City of London Sinfonia (CLS) will be performing, bringing their belief that music can transform lives through their engaging and dynamic performances.

#### Booking
Tickets are available for purchase on the Opera Holland Park website. Select your preferred date to secure your seats for this extraordinary operatic experience.

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Join us for an evening of contrasting emotions and exceptional performances at Opera Holland Park's Double Bill.

Opera Holland Park: Double Bill

Opera Holland Park is thrilled to present a new semi-staged production of Giacomo Puccini's early romance, "Edgar," set to captivate audiences in July 2024. This compelling opera, a successor to the highly acclaimed "Le Villi" from the 2022 Season, delves into the tumultuous journey of a knight torn between the paths of vice and virtue, represented by two contrasting women: the hedonistic Tigrana and the virtuous Fidelia. Inspired by Alfred de Musset’s play "Le coupe et les lèvres," and set against the backdrop of medieval Flanders, "Edgar" has undergone several revisions since its premiere in 1889, with this production showcasing Puccini’s 1905 edition. 

Audiences will have the opportunity to experience three semi-staged performances, offering a unique chance to engage with Puccini's vivid characterizations of regret and redemption. This production continues Opera Holland Park's tradition of exploring operatic rarities, under the direction of Ruth Knight. The cast features Peter Auty in the title role, alongside Anne Sophie Duprels as Fidelia, Gweneth Ann Rand as Tigrana, and Julien Van Mellaerts as Frank. 

The opera will be performed with the Italian libretto by Ferdinando Fontana, accompanied by English surtitles for accessibility. The City of London Sinfonia and the Opera Holland Park Chorus will provide the musical backdrop, promising an unforgettable auditory experience.

Performances are scheduled for:
- Tuesday, 2nd July 2024 at 8.00pm
- Thursday, 4th July 2024 at 8.00pm
- Saturday, 6th July 2024 at 8.00pm

Ticket prices range across several bands, from the premier seats at £175 (£167 for members) to the INSPIRE tickets at £24, subject to availability. Members can enjoy savings of up to £8 per ticket, alongside other benefits such as no booking fees and discounts at the theatre bar. 

This production of "Edgar" at Opera Holland Park is not just an opera; it's an exploration of human emotion, a testament to Puccini's genius, and a rare opportunity to witness a lesser-known work by one of opera's greatest composers. Book your tickets now for an evening of exquisite music, compelling drama, and the timeless struggle between light and darkness within the human soul.

Edgar

Tosca pulsates with dramatic tension like few other operas. Puccini’s score curdles the blood. Italian soprano Francesca Tiburzi has thrilled audiences worldwide with her eulogised portrayal of the central role: she sings the role for the first time in the UK at The Grange. We heard the wonderful young Uruguayan tenor Andrés Presno as Malcolm in Verdi’s Macbeth in 2022. He returns here as Cavaradossi. Music to pin you to the back of the theatre and drama to keep you on the edge of your seat. The Grange Festival are delighted to welcome back the team who gave us Verdi’s Falstaff in 2019 for Puccini’s searing masterpiece: conductor Francesco Cilluffo, director Christopher Luscombe and designer Simon Higlett.

Tosca

The Grange at Northington

Opera Holland Park is thrilled to announce a scintillatingly silly co-production with Charles Court Opera of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera, "Ruddigore." This production lampoons etiquette books and the Victorian obsession with the supernatural, featuring a witch’s curse, a thwarted courtship, an assumed identity, and the irksome business of committing daily acts of wickedness. Directed and starring John Savournin as Sir Despard Murgatroyd, the opera showcases a splendid cast of Gilbert & Sullivan stalwarts alongside fresh talent.

The creative team behind this production includes David Eaton as the conductor, Madeleine Boyd as the designer, Mark Jonathan handling lighting design, Richard Harker as the chorus master, and Merry Holden as the choreographer. The cast features Matthew Kellett as Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, Stephen Gadd as Sir Roderic Murgatroyd, David Webb as Richard Dauntless, and many more talented performers.

Priority booking for the event opens with varying dates starting from Wednesday, 22 February for Jubilee Society, Founders, and Benefactors, leading up to general booking on Wednesday, 5 April. The opera promises an engaging experience with a running time of 2 hours and 55 minutes, including a 30-minute interval, and will be performed in English with surtitles.

Special performances include a Discovery Matinee on Saturday, 12 August 2023, at 2:00 pm, although tickets for this particular showing are currently sold out. However, there may be opportunities to secure Monday Rush tickets for those still interested in attending.

This production of "Ruddigore" is not only a testament to Opera Holland Park's commitment to delivering high-quality performances but also an opportunity to experience a polished and joyful rendition of a Gilbert & Sullivan masterpiece.

Ruddigore

Framed as a TV sitcom episode, this warm-hearted story of unrequited love unfolds with the arrival of a love potion salesman on a beautiful English country house estate staffed by Land Girls and locals.

Mark Jonathan

Lighting Designer

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 15 - Dec 5, 2024

The Elixir of Love · English National Opera

Past events

Jul 17 - Aug 3, 2024

Il segreto di Susanna / Pagliacci · Opera Holland Park

Jul 17 - Aug 3, 2024

Opera Holland Park: Double Bill · City of London Sinfonia

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