Town launches region's first Regal Opera Festival
A border town has unveiled plans to present the first-ever Regal Opera Festival in the spring next year.
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The festival in May, will be at the Regal Tenbury Wells, the town's theatre, and will feature small-scale fringe companies known for their innovative and fresh approaches to productions.
The theatre said it’s a great opportunity for both opera lovers and new audiences to experience something unique and intimate.
Typically found in bustling venues across London, fringe opera is celebrated for attracting new audiences and performers through its innovative performances.
By hosting this festival, the Regal hopes to extend this unique experience beyond the capital, offering high-quality, accessible opera to the wider community.
Tickets are available for Regal Friends now and will open to the general public on Friday, December 20 at midday.
“Fringe opera is about breaking down the barriers that make traditional opera seem inaccessible,” says Erika Wooding, Head of Marketing at Regal Tenbury Wells.
“Our festival is dedicated to introducing new and unconventional productions and operatic experiences that resonate with our audiences, ensuring that everyone can experience the powerful emotions, timeless stories and wonderful music that opera offers."
The festival Line-up features "Carmen Re-imagined" (Saturday, 3rd May, 7:30 PM) a "daring, new interpretation of Bizet’s iconic opera".
With a fresh English script by Director Bronwen Stephens-Harding and scored for just four voices and piano, this production strips back the grandeur to focus on the raw emotions and complex dynamics of love, freedom, and destiny.
Set in an intimate environment, audiences will experience the passion and intensity of Carmen’s world up close.
Die Walküre Act I Unveiled (Sunday, 4th May, 7:30 PM): Act I of Wagner’s Die Walküre will also be explored in a special performance featuring narration and insights.
Soprano Erika Mädi Jones and tenor Brian Smith Walters, accompanied by pianist maestro Kelvin Lim, will guide the audience through the emotional and musical landscape of Wagner's masterpiece, providing a deep understanding of the story and its characters.
A Night at the Opera (Saturday, 10th May, 7:30 PM): Returning by popular demand, this gala event features a collection of the most beautiful arias, duets, and ensembles from the world’s greatest composers including Mozart, Puccini, and Verdi.
Highlight performances by opera singers including soprano Erika Mädi Jones and tenor Andrew Henley, with pianist Charlotte Forrest, alongside a scratch opera chorus from the Neen Sollars and Milson Community Choir, will ensure an evening of high-quality entertainment and unforgettable musical moments.
Tickets and information please visit https://www.regaltenbury.co.uk/regal-opera-festival.
