I ended up seeing a performance of a 19th-century Russian opera called Queen of Spades, and as morbid as it was, watching it under a canopy on a mild summer eve was one for the best night outs I’d had in a while. And I’m not even into opera!

The 2017 season just kicked off and runs until 29th July – so if you’re looking for something different to do this summer, this is a great shout. Check out my experience of last year’s event below:

The Performance

Behind The Scenes

Find out more about Investec Opera Holland Park.

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Carousel – voted the best musical of all time by Time Magazine – is one of those select few. Written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, it’s a pretty dark and deep fare for a genre that typically likes to keep it upbeat (the duo’s previous creation, Oklahoma!, being a perfect example of this).

The main premise centres around Billy Bigelow, a fairground worker who loses his job working the carousel due to his boss’ jealousy over his loving relationship and thus declines into a life of crime in order to support his newly pregnant wife. The intricate storyline that unfolds deals with some difficult themes including morality, redemption and domestic violence.

This new production by Opera North at the Barbican is set to be world’s away from your typical musical fare. Not only does it feature real operatic singers, it also involves a full orchestra, led by conductor James Holmes, thus offering the impressive score the opportunity reach its full potential. Director Jo Davies is known too for taking lightweight content and giving it greater light and shade. It’s promising stuff.

Featuring classic songs ‘If I Loved You’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, Davies perhaps summed up the work best with a quote from fellow legendary musical composer, Stephen Sondheim: “Oklahoma! is about a picnic, whilst Carousel is about life and death.” Which is basically just another way of saying that  Carousel is not your average musical: it’s a true experience – with a story and message that has never been more relevant than it is right now. Don’t miss out.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel by Opera North at The Barbican runs from 15 August 2012 – 15 September 2012. For more information or to book tickets, click here.

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