London Opera Breaks

London Opera Breaks Winter 2012/2013

It’s that time of year again, when the divas come back from their summer break and don their tiaras and breastplates to grant us mere mortals the opportunity of hearing the angels sing again and London Theatre Breaks go Operatic! Yes, open the gates, put on your gloves Mimi, our seasonal blast of  all that is Operish is here.

A theme? Well they are all at the Royal Opera House… OK I am struggling.  Three very different operas then, so we should have something for everyone!

Book Your London Opera Break

• Elisir d’amore
• La Boheme
• The Minotaur

More Opera Breaks Coming Soon

L’elisir d’amore Packages

The Royal Opera House production is a brand new adaptation of this opera which is both an hilarious comedy (“lol” he dryly mutters from the darkness of his Dress Circle box…) and yet a touching love story (…in between administering soothing dabs of his silken handerkerchief to his salty lids). Donizetti’s cracking score (‘Una furvita lagrima’ et al) makes the job of trying to read the surtitles more than bearable.

Joking aside, this is probably the production for operatic newbies, with love potions, haystacks, vespas and even a stray dog to help the rustics discover true love!

Performance Dates: 16th and 23rd November and 7th December 2012

La Boheme

Ah la vie boheme! This is the big one. This is what opera was invented for: no jokes, no daft battles, no animals, just a tender and tragic tale of love, passion and gut-renting heartbreak from the pen of operatic genius, Giacomo Puccini.

Performance Dates:  20th and 22nd December, 5th, 10th and 18th Jan

The Minotaur

This one is for those who thought they were bored of Opera, for those who thought they have seen it all, who have heard it all…

It’s brand new for a start – just 4 years since its world premiere here at the Royal Opera House. It’s by Harrison Birtwistle ( I was always told never to trust a man with two first names – but a man with no first names!?). I love! love! love! his music, it’s scoring, its phrasing, its… mass,  but who in their right mind told him it was possible to sing along to it?  The best you can do is what the minotaur does at the end of this clip here.  Make up your own minds! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj10HcoeEII

Anyway the inner turmoil of The Minotaur is clear to see as he strives to discover his true identity and voice in this mythological  sound clash. There is no doubt it is a remarkable and harrowing piece and it will shake you out into the cold London night air in a state nearing shell-shock: and that is not a criticism!

So there you go, opera breaks for everyone this winter: go get some in!

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