Summer temptations - 2014 and onwards with Grange Park Opera

Currently in the midst of their 2013 summer season, Grange Park Opera, has announced its plans for 2014 and 2015, with some very tempting offerings. As ever the casting offers some strong singers, many returning to Grange Park. Repertoire includes a mix of the well known and the unusual, with Massenet's Don Quichotte getting a rare outing, a production of Saint-Saens Samson et Dalila in the offing as well as Bryn Terfel in a musical.

Claire Rutter, who is currently a fabulous Elvira in this summer's I Puritani, returns next year for Verdi's La Traviata. Rutter has shown herself able to span the range from bel canto through Verdi and Puccini to Wagner, so that it will be fascinating to hear her as Violetta. Alfredo will be played by Marco Panuccio and Giorgio Germont by Damiano Salerno. Panuccio appeared opposite Rutter last year in Grange Park's Madama Butterfly and also impressed as the Duke in the company's Rigoletto alongside Salerno in the title role. Salerno is also currently appearing with Rutter in I Puritani.

Another returnee next year is tenor Carl Tanner who received strong reviews for his Hermann in Queen of Spades at Grange Park last year. He will be repeating his Hermann, but also performing the title role in Grange Park Opera's first Peter Grimes. Also appearing in Peter Grimes will be Georgia Jarman as Ellen Orford, Stephen Gadd as Balstrode with Grange Park Opera regulars Clive Bayley as Swallow and Anne Marie Owens as Auntie.  American soprano Georgia Jarman sang the four heroines in Offenbach's Tales of Hoffmann at ENO last year, so it will be fascinating to hear her in very different repertoire.

Massenet's last masterpiece Don Quichotte was written for the great Russian bass Feodor Chaliapin. The work receives a rare stage outing at Grange Park next year with Clive Bayley in the title role, David Stout as Sancho Panza and Sara Fulgoni (currently to be heard as Mere Marie in Poulenc's Carmelites at Grange Park Opera) as Dulcinee. In the revival of Antony McDonald's production of Queen of Spades Carl Tanner will be joined by Giselle Allen, Stephen Gadd and Anne Marie Owens.

Looking further ahead, plans for 2015 include Bryn Terfel singing in the musical Fiddler on the Roof, Saint-Saens' Samson et Dalila and Wagner's The Flying Dutchman.

Elsewhere on this blog:

• Ariadne auf Naxos at Glyndebourne
• Madama Butterfly at OHP
• Singing the Changes
• The Nibelung Ballad
• JAM - onwards and upwards
• Vivat Brahms! - CD review
• Carmelites at Grange Park
• These New Puritans - Field of Reeds
• Eugene Onegin at Grange Park
• I Puritani at Grange Park
• Owen Wingrave at GSMD
• Home