Francesca da Rimini

Opera or Operetta :: show/work:S807429912, production/tour:T0531517639

Archive Listings

24 Jun 04	Francesca da Rimini Opera or Operetta :: listing:L1963684051, production:T0531517639, show:S807429912, venue: V224	Sadler's Wells Theatre Inner London Greater London
17 Jun 04	Francesca da Rimini Opera or Operetta :: listing:L1451704219, production:T0531517639, show:S807429912, venue: V458	Theatre Royal Nottingham Nottinghamshire
9 Jun 04	Francesca da Rimini Opera or Operetta :: listing:L690773843, production:T0531517639, show:S807429912, venue: V0655996499	The Lowry Salford Greater Manchester
3 Jun 04	Francesca da Rimini Opera or Operetta :: listing:L01722261389, production:T0531517639, show:S807429912, venue: V570	Theatre Royal Newcastle upon Tyne Tyne and Wear
7 May 04 to 19 May 04	Francesca da Rimini Opera or Operetta :: listing:L01463546127, production:T0531517639, show:S807429912, venue: V975	Grand Theatre and Opera House Leeds West Yorkshire

Details

Francesca da Rimini, based on part of Dante's Inferno, drew from Rachmaninov some of his most extraordinary music. The scene is Hell, where Virgil attempts to reassure a terrified Dante as he descends towards the Abyss. As he does so, the spirits of Francesca and Paolo pass and tell the tale of their doomed, illicit love. The music for the two central 'tableaux' that relate the loves story is Italianate in its excitement and passion. By contrast, the soundscape that Rachmaninov creates for Hell in the Prologue, with its swirling strings and unsettling, wordless chorus, is full of demonic power. Throughout, the sweep and originality of Rachmaninov's inspiration carries all before it. Sung in English. Running time approx. 1 hour 15 minutes.

Performers Nina Pavlovski (Francesca), Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts (Paolo/Dante), Jonathan Summers (Malatesta/Ghost of Virgil). Music Rachmaninov. Company Opera North. Conductor Martin Andre. Director David Pountney. Design Johan Engels. Costume Sue Willmington. Lighting Adam Silverman. Translation Amanda Holden.