Phoenix Theatre and Phoenix Youth Theatre regularly provide groups of adults and children for the Ellen Kent & Opera International national touring productions.
This page was last updated on: 28 October, 2009
Verdi
Aida
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen & Caird Hall, Dundee, March 2007
Aida - probably the grandest and most popular of all Verdi's operas - returns after its extraordinarily successful tour of the UK in Autumn 04 with a stunning, traditional production of this magnificent story of war, jealousy and revenge, at whose heart is the doomed love of the beautiful Ethiopian slave girl, Aida, and the Egyptian hero, Radames. It features many wonderful arias including, Ritorna Vincitor, Celeste Aida and the classic Triumphal March. Its unique mixture of splendid chorus scenes and intimate, lyrical moments show the Chisinau National Opera at their best.
This magnificent production is traditionally staged with a spectacular 4 metre high dancing fountain specially commissioned from India and Features lavish ballet interludes including an amazing ballet sequence based on the temple dancers of ancient Egypt and an enchanting children's ballet.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
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Puccini
Tosca
His Majesty's Theatre, March 2007
This most popular of operas with its tender moving arias, "Recondita Armonia", "Vissi d'Arte" and "E Lucevan le Stelle", is a heady mixture of true love, torture and treachery, with two of the best roles for tenor and soprano, plus a truly blood curdling villain for the baritone. This production features a large cast and full orchestra with a childrens choir within a specially devised cathedral setting in Act 1.
With spectacular traditional sets and costumes, international soloists and a 170 strong company and orchestra.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
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Bizet
Carmen
His Majesty's Theatre, October 2007
One of the most famous and seductive operas of all time, Bizet's irresistibly emotional Carmen guarantees an evening of passion and romance. This dazzling production features Bizet's unforgettable melodies including the best known baritone aria of all, The Toreador's Song. Carmen also includes a replica of Seville's main square with gypsy dancers, fountains, flowers and orange trees
Sung in French with English surtitles
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Verdi
Nabucco
His Majesty's Theatre, October 2007
Verdi's haunting and melodic Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves comes to life in this monumental tale of revenge, destruction and jealousy.
This production features stunning lighting and stage effects which include the burning down of the temple with amazing stage pyrotechnics and an exotic dance sequence.
Returns after the sell-out visit to the Royal Albert Hall in 2005.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
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Puccini
Madama Butterfly
His Majesty's Theatre, March 2008
A spectacular traditional production from one of the loveliest opera houses in Europe with international Korean and Japanese sopranos, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra.
Winner of the opera of the year award by the Liverpool Daily Post in 2006, Madama Butterfly returns with exquisite sets including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimono's from Japan.
One of the world's most popular operas, Puccini's Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant with dramatic results. Highlights include the melodic Humming Chorus, the moving aria One Fine Day and the unforgettable Love Duet.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
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Verdi
La Traviata
His Majesty's Theatre, March 2008
A spectacular traditional production from one of the loveliest opera houses in Europe with handpicked soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra.
The love story that gripped Paris. A tragic tale of searing passion and memorable music, La Traviata is Verdi's outstanding interpretation of one of the most popular love stories of the 19th century, La dame aux Camelias.
Based on a true story, it tells of the passionate consumptive Violetta. There are many echoes of Verdi's own life in Traviata and he threw himself into the music. The highlights include the Brindisi, the best known drinking song in opera, the duet Un Di Felice and Violetta's haunting aria Addio Del Passato.
La Traviata played to a sell-out house at the Royal Albert Hall in 2002 to great critical acclaim.
This magnificent production boasts sumptuous sets and costumes.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
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Puccini
Tosca
His Majesty's Theatre, September 2008
True Love, torture and treachery set against the backdrop of the Colosseum in Rome. Tosca boasts the tender moving arias, "Recondita Armonia", "Vissi d'Arte" and "E Lucevan le Stelle".
Ellen Kent & Amphitheatre Productions present a spectacular autumn tour, bringing a touch of the Colosseum of Rome to theatres across the UK and Ireland following our premiere of Carmen in Leeds Castle, Kent. This new production of Tosca will be directed by Ellen Kent with the amphitheatre set designed by London designer Will Bowen.
Set in the era of the Napoleonic wars this spectacular amphitheatre setting heightens the treachery and corruption of the period with two of the best roles for tenor and soprano plus a truly blood curdling villain for the baritone.
Tosca boasts the tender moving arias, "Recondita Armonia", "Vissi d'Arte" and "E Lucevan le Stelle".
This magnificent traditional production will be performed by international soloists alongside the full Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
Click on each photo to see a larger version:
Puccini
La Boheme
His Majesty's Theatre, September 2008
Ellen Kent & Amphitheatre Productions present a spectacular autumn tour, bringing a touch of the Colosseum of Rome to theatres across the UK and Ireland following our premiere of Carmen in Leeds Castle, Kent. This new production of La Boheme will be directed by Ellen Kent with the amphitheatre set designed by London designer Will Bowen.
In La Boheme the amphitheatre structure will be converted into the attics and backstreets of Bohemian Paris and highlights the grandeur of Paris against the impressive colosseum structure. This production will even boast snow!
With the most romantic music Puccini ever wrote, La Boheme will include the famous aria Your Tiny Hand is Frozen.
This magnificent traditional production will be performed by international soloists alongside the full Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Click on each photo to see a larger version:
Bizet
Carmen
His Majesty's Theatre, September 2008
Ellen Kent & Amphitheatre Productions present a spectacular new autumn tour, bringing a touch of the Colosseum of Rome to theatres across the UK and Ireland following our premiere of Carmen in Leeds Castle, Kent in front of an audience of 6000 people. This new production will be directed by Ellen Kent with the amphitheatre set designed by London designer Will Bowen.
Theatres will be transformed into a Spanish spectacular reminiscent of the real bullrings in Spain with bull fighters and a brass band parading through the venue into the Seville bullring to start this must see performance. Carmen guest stars international flamenco dancer Sam Quy, as seen at the Royal Opera House, accompanied by the well known Spanish flamenco singer Fernando de Sevilla.
This magnificent traditional production will be performed by international soloists alongside the full Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.
Sung in French with English surtitles
Click on each photo to see a larger version:
City’s young performers set to soar
Aberdeen Phoenix Youth Theatre will join touring opera productions
Press & Journal, 28 April 2009
Opera lovers in Aberdeen are in for a treat next weekend as local youngsters take to the stage alongside a professional theatre company. Aberdeen Phoenix Youth Theatre will be performing Aida and Turandot at Aberdeen’s HM Theatre, alongside Ellen Kent Amphitheatre Productions.
Ellen Kent, director of the professional theatre group, has been working with young performers from Aberdeen for 15 years in an attempt to boost their stage careers. For the last time, Mrs Kent will bring her touring opera productions to Aberdeen on May 7-9.
On May 7 the two groups will perform Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot. The next two nights, HM Theatre will see the groups performing Giuseppe Verdi’s tragic love story Aida.
