Michael Rosewell conductor
Ella Marchment director
Cordelia Chisholm designer
Kevin Treacy lighting designer
Adam Haigh choreographer
Britten Les Illuminations
Weill Chansons des Quais
Ravel L'heure espagnole
The Royal College of Music Opera Studio presents a triple-bill of vocal masterpieces sung in French. This intoxicating trio of works celebrates the French language and showcases the versatility of RCM singers.
Les Illuminations is a contemplative song cycle by RCM alumnus Benjamin Britten, comprising settings of some of Arthur Rimbaud’s most important work, expressing vivid imagery and surrealistic themes.
Then comes a song cycle conceived from Kurt Weill’s early work Marie Galante, made up of a selection of beguiling, rarely performed songs and musical scenes.
Our musical triptych ends with Ravel's popular one-act opera, the comédie musicale L’heure espagnole, which follows a farcical plot featuring the hapless Torquemada, his mischievous wife and a host of comical characters concealed in clocks.
This production is made possible with the assistance of the Basil Coleman bequest.
Tickets will go on sale on 9 October (or 2 October for those with priority booking).