• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

  • News
  • Things to do
  • Radio
  • More
    • Food & drink
    • Business
  • About
    • Comments
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
  • Radio
  • WIN
  • Tonne of tins
  • Vouchers
  • Listen live »
Jorvik Viking Festival

Opera’s greatest hits directed by new young talent

The four directors of Tales Of Love (L-R): John Soper, Lucy Thomson-Smith, Hilary Dyson and James Wood
Tue 3 Jun, 2014 @ 8.24 pm News YorkMix
The four directors of Tales Of Love (L-R): John Soper, Lucy Thomson-Smith, Hilary Dyson and James Wood
The four directors of Tales Of Love (L-R): John Soper, Lucy Thomson-Smith, Hilary Dyson and James Wood

For their production of Tales Of Love, York Opera decided to take a new approach. By focusing on extracts from four separate operas, audiences will be treated to a “best of” compilation of some of the greatest romantic themes and arias in musical history.

But this presented the group with a challenge: who was to act as director for four very different operas?

The group’s solution was to offer the directing role of each extract to four separate directors, some of whom are making their York Opera directorial debut.

James Wood and Lucy Thompson-Smith, two of York Opera’s younger members, have taken on the responsibility of directing extracts from Turandot and Carmen respectively.

James is particularly looking forward to the challenge of directing opera for the first time.

“I have directed shows when at university, including Hobson’s Choice and The Complaisant Lover.

“But it’s nice to be directing opera for the first time, having performed in them onstage so often in the past.”

It’s an experience unlike anything we at York Opera have ever attempted before, but the performers and singers are rising to the challenge magnificently

Both James and Lucy have been active members of York Opera for some years, making valued contributions both on and offstage.

James has been involved in productions of Marriage Of Figaro and Nabucco.

Lucy was stage manager for their production of Ruddigore, keeping it in the family with her father Ian, who has been a York Opera stalwart for many years.

The first act is rounded off by excerpts from Mozart’s Don Giovani, directed by John Soper. John is one of York Opera more experienced members and directors, having recently helmed productions of Dido And Aeneas, and The Magic Flute.

The second act is a fully staged performance of the second of the Tales Of Hoffman.

Chairman Hilary Dyson assumes directing responsibilities for this section. The story of Hoffman’s unfortunate love affair provides a unique challenge for her, having to adapt to directing in the round for the first time.

“It is important to remember that people behind us as well as in front of us can see all the action,” she says.

“You have to make sure you involve all the audience members so the music and words do not get lost.

“It’s an experience unlike anything we at York Opera have ever attempted before, but the performers and singers are rising to the challenge magnificently and as ever produce a fantastic sound.”

 


  • Tales Of Love is being performed at the York Guildhall on June 4-6. Tickets are available from York Theatre Royal

 

Tue 3 Jun, 2014

Footer

YorkMix
News 01904 848 766
Email YorkMix news »
5-6 King's Court, Shambles, York  YO1 7LD
YorkMix Radio
General enquiries 01904 375 029
Studio/competitions 01904 375 030
Email YorkMix Radio »
Selby Superbowl, Bawtry Road, Selby  YO8 8NA
YorkMix is a trading name of YorkMix Media Ltd
Registered in England
Company number: 07814727
VAT number: 154 0364 34
© York Sound Ltd

Copyright © 2023 YorkMix Media Ltd

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT