A Midsummer Night's Dream on the big screen

A Midsummer Night's Dream on the big screen description

As a result of current COVID-19 restrictions in Adelaide, this event will have to be relocated from Elder Park. Details of the location will be available soon.

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Grab some friends and join us to watch this magical opera on the big screen.

Benjamin Britten’s musical transformation of Shakespeare’s most loved comedy is something of a miracle: apart from a single short sentence, every word is that of England’s finest poet; every fibre and comic nuance of the play is preserved.

And while a lesser composer might have merely adorned a masterpiece, he created a new one of his own: with its graceful haunting melodies, iridescent orchestration, headily perfumed harmony, and filigree-like vocal textures - there’s nothing in the repertoire like it.

Inspired singing and hilarity... a triumph!

Chicago Classical Review

Neil Armfield’s special affinity with Britten’s operas has been lauded worldwide. “Definitive” and “staggering” was the UK and US critical consensus for his multi-award-winning Billy Budd and audiences lucky enough to have experienced his Peter Grimes and The Turn of the Screw rate them just as highly. Despite its proudly Australian creative team, this missing piece of the puzzle has been seen abroad but never at home.

Magical, otherworldly and playful, it bears all the hallmarks of his exceptional craft: drawing subtle and truthful comedic performances, letting his fairies rip as real kids and, in the finale, delivering a belly laugh-inducing riot.

We’ve endured a year like no other. Seize the chance to laugh and gasp with other human beings. Enter this blissful bubble and surrender to the trusted experts: Shakespeare, Britten and Armfield.

A fantastical soundworld that envelopes you in its glittering magic

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Credits

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A co-production of Houston Grand Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera and Canadian Opera Company, presented by Adelaide Festival in association with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

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Midsummer Night's Dream, op.64 by Benjamin Britten 

Music by Benjamin Britten

Libretto adapted from Shakespeare by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears

Directed by Neil Armfield
Set and Costume Design Dale Ferguson
Choreography/Associate Director Denni Sayers
Lighting Damien Cooper

The Fairies
Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen as Oberon
Rachelle Durkin as Tytania

Mark Coles Smith as Puck

The Lovers
Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Theseus
Fiona Campbell as Hyppolita
Andrew Goodwin as Lysander
Taryn Fiebig as Hermia
James Clayton as Demetrius
Leanne Kenneally as Helena

The Mechanicals
Warwick Fyfe as Bottom
Kanen Breen as Flute
Douglas McNicol as Quince
Jud Arthur as Snug
Norbert Hohl as Snout
Pelham Andrews as Starveling

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Paul Kildea
Associate Conductor Brett Weymark

Young Adelaide Voices
Director Christie Anderson

The presentation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been made possible by the Adelaide Festival Chairman’s Circle, the Adelaide Festival Opera Donor Circle (Leading Patron Maureen Wheeler AO) and MM Electrical.

Taryn Fiebig's and Teddy Tahu Rhodes's performances are supported by Peter McKee and Pamela McKee.

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