| Opera productions & classical performances | | |
| CHINESE ACROBATIC SWAN LAKE (Lowry Theatre) | | | Wednesday 30th July to Saturday 2nd August 2008 - 7.30pm | | To truly appreciate the incredible mixture of dance and acrobatics in this performance, watch a clip here. Swan Lake gets a radical makeover from a unique Chinese company, thrilling audiences worldwide. By combining classical ballet and traditional acrobatics, The Guandong Acrobatic Company have turned ballet on its head and created a spectacular new interpretation of the greatest classical ballet of all time. In this fresh and original adaptation of Swan Lake, a European prince falls in love with a Chinese swan, and performers use acrobatics and their very considerable talents as classical dancers to tell the story. Pole balancing, jumping through fire hoops, rope walking, ball walking and jujitsu are all seamlessly woven into the story, and there is constant blurring of performance styles, including not only ballet and acrobatics but also elements of Peking Opera. Acrobatic Swan Lake includes Black Swans dancing on high wires and scenes in which the White Swan dances en pointe on top of the Prince’s head and shoulders and another in which the famous dance of four little swans is transformed into a performance of four little frogs, played by men who do the entire dance on their arms. This breathtakingly magical production must be seen to be believed. There is a 2.30pm matinee on the Saturday. (back to top) | | | to book by phone, call | | lyric theatre | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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| HALLÉ FIREWORKS & LIGHT SPECTACULAR | | | Saturday 2nd August 2008 - 5pm | | One of the UK's greatest orchestras, the renowned Hallé returns to Tatton Park for its season finale concert. This year's Hallé Fireworks and Light Spectacular programme, to be conducted by John Wilson, celebrates Cheshire's Year of Gardens '08 and will include classical masterpieces such as Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker, excerpts from Wagner's Lohengrin and Grieg's Peer Gynt, great works by Dvorák, J Strauss and Berlioz, and the famous Dam Busters March by Coates. In keeping with tradition the concert will incorporate a truly fantastic firework display, synchronised this year to extracts from Holst's most famous Planet Suite: Mars, Saturn and Jupiter. This concert sells out every year, so be sure to book early in order to avoid disappointment. Under 18's must be accompanied by an adult. (back to top) | | | to book by phone, call | | tatton park | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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| BAND OF THE GRENADIER GUARD IN CONCERT |
| | Friday 22nd August 2008 - 7.30pm | | The Band of the Grenadier Guards is based in central London and its primary objectives are to support State Events and Public Ceremonial events across the capital and further afield. The Band can be seen on many occasions in public including on the Guard Mount of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle and of course the world famous 'Trooping the Colour'. The Band is also available to hire for any other military or civilian event across the UK or indeed the world. The Band has a wealth of talent and is equally at home in marching band guise or symphonic concert band. The Band also has a number of very capable smaller ensembles and contemporary bands. (back to top) | | no tickets available online, call 0161 477 7779 |
| | to book by phone, call | | stockport plaza | | we also recommend... | 0161 477 7779 | | | |
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| TOSCA (Ellen Kent Amphitheatre Productions) | | | Wednesday 26th November 2008 - 7.15pm | | At the Opera House: Verdi's Tosca performed by Ellen Kent Opera International. Love, torture and treachery is set against the backdrop of Rome at its bloodiest, with the famous arias Vissi d'Arte and E Lucevan le Stelle. With two of the best roles for tenor and soprano, plus a truly blood curdling villain for the baritone, this production features a large cast and full orchestra, within a specially devised cathedral setting in Act 1. (back to top) | | | to book by phone, call | | manchester opera house | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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| LA BOHEME (Ellen Kent Amphitheatre Productions) | | | Thursday 27th and Friday 28th November 2008 - 7.15pm | | At the Opera House, Manchester - La Bohème is one of the most romantic operas ever written. This is a classic tale of Parisian love and loss, boasting many famous arias including Your Tiny Hand is Frozen, They Call Me Mimi, and Muzetta’s Waltz. The set reflects the Bohemian art of the late 19th Century, with a stunning Cubist design backdrop and costumes by one of Russia’s leading designers Alexandr Krivoshein who has worked at the Bolshoi and Kirov. The carnival scene will include dancers and street entertainers providing fantastic colour and recreating the romantic atmosphere of this Parisian love story. (back to top) | | | to book by phone, call | | manchester opera house | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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| CARMEN (Ellen Kent Amphitheatre Productions) | | | Saturday 29th November 2008 - 7.15pm | | At the Opera House: One of the most famous and seductive operas of all time, Bizet’s irresistibly emotional Carmen guarantees an evening of passion and romance, this dazzling production features Bizet’s unforgettable melodies including the best known baritone aria of all, The Toreador’s Song. Carmen also includes a replica of Seville ’s main square with gypsy dancers, fountains, flowers and orange trees. Sung in French with English surtitles. Special appearances by Heather Shipp as Carmen currently singing at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden this autumn. Starring Louis, the majestic black stallion from the Royal Opera House’s Carmen and a donkey from the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust. Cast and animals subject to change. (back to top) | | | to book by phone, call | | manchester opera house | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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| KATHERINE JENKINS at the MEN Arena | | | Thursday 18th December 2008 - 7.30pm | | Katherine Jenkins was the biggest selling classical artist of 2004. This is not surprising, given that she is the first mezzo-soprano to break the top 20 pop charts and the only artist ever to have scored two number one albums in the classical charts in the same year. (back to top) | | | to book by phone, call | | men arena | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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