Friday 28 October
Agrippina
Handel’s masterpiece of political intrigue is the most devilish of comedies, bringing the
machinations of one of opera’s most notorious characters to life in a text penned by a Roman cardinal.
Agrippina was an early success of Handel’s, and is presented in a revival of ETO’s 2013 production alongside ETO’s period instrument partners The Old Street Band, with stunning set and costume designs by Samal Blak, performed in a rapier-sharp English translation.
Saturday 29 October
Tamerlano
A gripping psychological contest between Tamerlano, the Emperor of the Tartars, and his captive Bajazet, Sultan of the Turks, Tamerlano is the most perfect of Handel’s operas, and a true marriage of drama and music.
It was written in a year of inspired creativity that also saw the composition of Giulio
Cesare and Rodelinda, and features one of the first major tenor roles in opera. English Touring Opera present Tamerlano in a new production from Artistic Director James Conway, performed with ETO’s period instrument partners The Old Street Band.
