the full Press Release is here.
I wrote my instant reaction elsewhere:
Carmen's: I see they're replacing the Jonathan Miller production which was far preferable to the Francesca Zambello. As well as Alice Coote, Julian Gavin will be worth seeing as Don J. Seems a bit silly ENO doing considering it's at ROH this season and next.
Poppea: I saw the Zurich-on-tour concert version at RFH. Jonas the Hunk was Nero, incorrectly, of course. I love Monteverdi, although I am afraid I have less knowledge, and recordings, than I should. This is definitely a highlight of the season.
Aida: John Hudson might just have the chops as Radames. I found him disappointing for Acts 1&2 of Carmen, better for 3&4. Claire Rutter also attractive (as of course is Iain Paterson). As ROH are unlikely to revive the Robert Wilson production this side of never, this is a rare opportunity, strangely enough, to see Aida in London.
Turn of the Screw: has an excellent cast and director. To me, one of the less accessible of Britten's operas, but I feel that ENO have an obligation to become a centre of excellence for Britten
Lucia: gorgeous gorgeous opera, not really sure it's ENO territory. Not really sure of the cast, although Barry Banks is said to be just as beautifully voiced as JDF, but only about 4' tall. Really a soprano vehicle: I have Joanie on DVD and Cheryl on CD. Wonder what Anna Christy is like.
Lost Highway (Olga Neuwirth)/Punch and Judy (Harrison Birtwhistle): Can't say, will depend what mood I'm in.
Merry Widow: not fussed. Amanda Roocroft yes. I suppose it will be an opportunity to see if the over-hyped Alfie Boe actually lives up to his ClassicFM guff.
Der Rosenkavalier: sterling cast, and by all accounts, a wonderful production (David McVicar). I don't like Strauss as much as I ought to, but Rosenkavalier is definitely worth a night out. And I think Presentation of the Rose is one of the most beautiful numbers in the entire opera canon.
Candide: I loved the production they showed from Paris on the TV; although it could benefit from a few cuts. It will be interesting to see who gets to be the narrator and who gets to sing Glitter and be Gay.
Mikado and Madam Butterfly. Plague, avoid. etc. Magic Flute, cast dependent, but seems silly to run in parallel with ROH. Oh, Butterfly's that Minghella production that brought the Met crash bang into the 1980s...
Interview with Edward Gardner: Enter the young pretender. The comparison with David Cameron is supposed to be flattering? Oh dear! And rather contradicting the 'balls of steel' description...
