The Ultimate Tale Of Redemption
While operas are often centred on the dashing heroics or lamentable tragedies of adventurers, lovers and villains, its not often the story of the person who penned them takes the spotlight. Don't miss the thrilling world premiere of The Phoenix, a brand new opera that chronicles the tumultuous life and times of Lorenzo da Ponte, the librettist behind some of operas's greatest masterpieces, including Don Giovanni and the Marriage of Figaro.
Composed by new opera voice Tarik O'Reagan with a libretto by Royal Shakespeare Company associate director John Caird, The Phoenix is the ultimate tale of redemption. Whilst administering the sacrament as a Catholic priest in 1700s Venice, Da Ponte courted scandal when the secret of his second family with his mistress and his connections with a brothel became public. Banished from the floating city, the writer took up with Wolgang Amadeus Mozart in Austria and found a new vocation in writing opera librettos. American lyric baritone Thomas Hampson stars in the title role.