Autumn Tour 2009
‘James Conway's production adds immeasurably to the opera's disturbing atmosphere.’
Guardian
|
Tolomeo - Handel
The
story of two brothers, sons of the ruthless, devouring Egyptian queen
Cleopatra, who are shipwrecked on an island, is a story of faithful love in the
face of crushing odds. No other Handel opera confronts quite so squarely the
lot of the wretched of the earth, and the easy cruelty of the powerful. ETO’s
modern day production, in Michael Vale’s striking birchwood box set, describes wretchedness
we might see on the street today, in the exploitation of a young girl and a
hapless beggar: yet driven to the edge as both are, underneath a pier where the
sea meets the land (the old pier in the clean box is like the thorn in the mind,
according to Vale) their dignity and faith is inspiring, and ultimately
rewarded. |
Images
Images from ETO's 2006 production
ETO Handelfest is
made possible through generous support of The Geoffrey C Hughes
Charitable Trust & the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
English Touring Opera gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Arts Council England.
