Monteverdi's L'Orfeo and Pre-concert talk with Jonathan Miller

Jonathan Miller talks about his life and work, plus his vision for L'Orfeo

Four hundred years after opera’s earliest great work was first performed, Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo will be celebrated by New London Consort in a revived production conducted by Philip Pickett and directed by Jonathan Miller at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester on Friday 16 March 2007 at 7.30pm. Mark Tucker sings the title role.

The Baroque masterpiece tells the moving tale of Orfeo’s journey into the underworld in search of his lost bride Euridice. Other members of the cast include Joanne Lunn as Las Musica and Proserpina, Julia Gooding as La Messaggiera and Mark Chambers as Speranza. Sue Lefton is choreographer and Shirin Guild has designed the costumes.

Originally commissioned by The South Bank Centre in 2003, New London Consort’s L’Orfeo has been a highlight of recent Queen Elizabeth Hall seasons, and has won international acclaim in Bergen, Beijing and Paris. This production, which will be semi-staged has been revived to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the piece’s first performance for noble entertainment in Italy in 1607.

Jonathan Miller is one of the world’s leading opera directors, as well as being a celebrated satirist, medical expert and author. His work in the 1970s for Glyndebourne and ENO established his credentials in the world of opera, and he has collaborated closely with Philip Pickett to ensure this performance is as close to its original form as possible. He will talk about his vision for L’Orfeo, plus his life and work in a pre-concert talk at 6pm.

Conductor Philip Pickett was first inspired by Jonathan Miller’s acclaimed production of L’Orfeo in the 1970s when he was a member of the company orchestra. He is now an eminent advocate of period performance himself and his versatile New London Consort has an undisputed reputation for artistry, flair and virtuosity.

Tickets for Jonathan Miller’s production of Monterverdi’s L’Orfeo at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester cost from £12 to £27, and can be booked via Box Office, telephone 0161 907 9000 or website www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk. The concert is part of the Hall’s International Concerts Series, in this the Hall’s tenth anniversary year.

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