This opera is not the story of a classical space journey, but rather an elaborate confidence trick played on the miserly Buonafede. Ecclitico and Cecco hit on this elaborate ruse to rob Buonafede of his fortune - and pursue his daughter and servant, Clarice and Lisetta, at the same time.
Haydn's incredible imagination is realised through his brilliant music, and the special staging created by English Touring Opera. Cal McCrystal's direction is imaginative and magical. This opera is at the end of it's tour of England, and the performances at Exeter Northcott Theatre this Wednesday and Thursday will be the last.
Back-to-back with Haydn's "Life on the Moon" are the two final performances of ETO's production of Handel's "Ottone". This very serious opera is based on the real events of the life of Holy Roman Emperor, Otto II. In true baroque style the most powerful male character (Otto himself) is played by a high-voice tenor, Clint van der Linde. Contemporary audiences associated the technically difficult high male voice with machismo and power.
To tell us more about the historical context, and the authentic instrumentation for this production, Director (and counter-tenor) Jonathan Peter Kenny will join "Classical Journey" on Phonic FM (106.8 FM in Exeter, or online) at 10.15 this Tuesday (18 November) for an on-air discussion.
Jonathan Peter Kenny conducts Bach Cantatas Exeter Cathedral Sunday 23 November (Photo: Gesualdo's "Tenebrae" Southernhay Church 2011) |
Jonathan will also be able to able to tell us about the final crowning concert of the ETO tour. On Sunday 23rd November Jonathan will bring Soprano Gillian Webster, Countertenor Andrew Radley, Tenor Ronan Busfield and Baritone Johnny Herford together with his own "Old Street Band" (authentic baroque orchestra based in Old Street, London) to perform advent cantatas by Bach.
The programme will include Martin Luther’s "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland" (Now come, saviour of the heathens) and the words of the Marian Feast of Visitation ‘Herz und Munt und Tat und Leben’ (Heart and mouth and deed and life) - including the familiar "Wohl mir, daß ich Jesum habe" (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring).
A perfect end to a very successful and popular tour.
Both operas will be sung in English - no Italian revision required!
More detailed information on the operas, and previews, are available on the ETO website, and tickets are available from the Northcott Box Office (01392 493493) or through the Northcott website.
Ecclitico (Chistopher Turner) "Life on the Moon" |
Exeter Northcott Theatre
Weds & Thur 19 & 20 November 7.30pm
JOSEF HAYDN: "IL MONDO DELLA LUNA"
(LIFE ON THE MOON)
Fri & Sat 21 & 22 November 7.30pm
G F HANDEL: "OTTONE"
Exeter Cathedral
Sunday 23 November 7.30pm
J S BACH: ADVENT CANTATAS
Tickets: Operas £19-£33 Cantatas £10-£20
Northcott Box Office 01392 493493
Online Booking: Opera / Cantatas
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