Details

A young boy argues with his mother, refuses to do his homework and flies into a tantrum, destroying the objects in the room around him. But in this childhood fable of enchantment, everything around the boy comes magically to life. Outside in the garden, he is also shunned by the animals and plants he has tormented and hurt, until he is forgiven after helping an injured squirrel. One of only two short operas composed by Ravel, L'enfant et les sortileges is both a delightful, whimsical fantasy and a profoundly moving response to the generational trauma of war, witnessed by both composer and librettist. Its exquisite, innovative score is filled with jewel-like surprises, perfectly capturing and deftly characterising talking animals and magical nursery furniture alike. Sung in French with English titles. Playing as part of 'The Little Greats: Short operas with huge emotions' as a double bill on some dates with Pagliacci, Trial by Jury or Osud.

Cast/Performers

Wallis Giunta (The Child), Ann Taylor (His mother / Chinese cup / Squirrel), Fflur Wyn (Fire / Nightingale / Princess), Quirijn de Lang (Grandfather Clock / Tom Cat), John Savournin (Armchair / Tree), John Graham-Hall (Tea Pot / Tree Frog / Arthmetic), Katie Bray (Louis XV Chair / Female Cat / Owl)

Creatives/Company

Music: Ravel (1925)
Lyrics: Colette
Company: Opera North
Conductor: Aleksandar Markovic
Director: Annabel Arden
Design: Charles Edwards
Costume: Hannah Clark
Lighting: Charles Edwards
Choreographer: Theo Clinkard