THE ROYAL OPERA
La scala di seta
Gioachino Rossini
23 October at 7pm; 24 October at 1pm and 7pm
ROSSINI’S LA SCALA DI SETA TO BE PERFORMED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT
THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE AS PART OF MEET THE YOUNG ARTISTS
WEEK
• Meet the Young Artists Week will run from 20–25 October 2014
• Generously supported by Oak Foundation
This October, The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Young Artists will present Rossini’s sixth opera
and masterpiece of comic timing La scala di seta for the first time at the Royal Opera House.
This new production is staged by Australian director and Jette Parker Young Artist Greg
Eldridge, in what will be his first staging of a full-length work for The Royal Opera. He is
joined by designer Holly Pigott and lighting designer Warren Letton. Greg Eldridge’s
production will bring this early Rossini masterpiece to life in an elegant, classic production,
which highlights the power of love at the centre of the piece.
This production marks the Royal Opera House debuts of Australian soprano Lauren Fagan
who will sing the role of Giulia, Australian baritone Samuel Dale Johnson as Dormont,
British bass James Platt who will sing the role of Blansac, Ukrainian bass-baritone Yuriy
Yurchuk as Germano and Scottish pianist Colin J. Scott. They are joined by Armenian
soprano Anush Hovhannisyan as Lucilla and Portuguese tenor Luis Gomes as Dorvil. The
orchestra is Southbank Sinfonia, conducted by Italian conductor and Jette Parker Young
Artist Jonathan Santagada.
For all Royal Opera House press releases visit www.roh.org.uk/for/press-and-media.
This opera was first performed in Venice in 1812 when the composer was just 20, with
Giuseppe Maria Foppa providing a libretto adapted from Pierre Gaveaux’s 1808
opera L’Échelle de soie. The opera is a classic example of Rossini’s gift for comedy and
rhythmic flair, with the many tuneful highlights including Lucilla’s aria ‘Sento talor
nell’anima’. Named after the silken ladder that Giulia lowers from her window every night
to let in Dorvil (whom she has secretly married), the opera features typical characters and
situations from the commedia dell’arte that perfectly match the ebullience typical of Rossini’s
early works.
Director Greg Eldridge is delighted to bring this Rossini masterpiece to the Royal Opera
House for the first time and said of his production: ‘The action of the piece will be presented
in classic farsa comica style, with a vibrant set blending influences from Perrault’s fairytales
and French non-naturalism. We are going to re-imagine life in inner Paris as a place of frantic
love and raucous misunderstanding.’
The production is a highlight of Meet the Young Artists Week at the Royal Opera House,
which provides a chance to see the future faces of opera in the intimate setting of the Linbury
Studio Theatre. The week’s activities also include a diverse programme of free recitals and a
chance to meet the Young Artists in person.
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MEET THE YOUNG ARTISTS WEEK 2014
LIST OF EVENTS
Monday 20 October, 1-2.30pm
Free recital (Linbury Studio Theatre)
A recital of operatic arias and ensembles, featuring all the Jette Parker Young Artist
singers, accompanied by David Gowland and with a contribution by ballet pianist
Colin J. Scott.
Wednesday 22 October, 1-2pm
Free recital (Crush Room)
Australian soprano Kiandra Howarth and Irish mezzo-soprano Rachel Kelly perform
a recital programme, accompanied by David Gowland.
Thursday 23 October at 7pm and Friday 24 October at 1pm and 7pm
La scala di seta (Linbury Studio Theatre)
A fully staged production of Rossini’s farsa comica La scala di seta, with Lauren Fagan,
Anush Hovhannisyan, Luis Gomes, Samuel Dale Johnson, Yuriy Yurchuk and James
Platt. Directed by Greg Eldridge, with designs by Holly Pigott and lighting by
Warren Letton. Jonathan Santagada conducts Southbank Sinfonia, with Colin J. Scott
playing continuo.
Tickets: £20, £17.50, £12.50, £7 standing (£10 students)
Saturday 25 October, 1-2.30pm and 7-8.30pm
The Juke Box (Linbury Studio Theatre)
In the lunchtime session, the audience picks the programme for the evening recital
from a range of ensembles and solo items from opera, musical theatre and song
repertory offered by all the Jette Parker Young Artist singers, with contributions by
Colin J. Scott, Jonathan Santagada and Greg Eldridge. David Gowland accompanies.
After the evening recital, meet the Programme members and staff in the Linbury
Studio Theatre Foyer.
Admission free
