Playing at His Majesty's Theatre
A co-production of Opera Australia, Houston Grand Opera and West Australian Opera and Perth International Arts Festival.
Conducted by Richard Mills AM
Original Direction by Neil Armfield
Rehearsal Direction by Tama Matheson
Costume Design by Tess Schofield
Set Design by Ralph Myers
Lighting Design by Damien Cooper
Choreography by Denni Sayers
Grimes has become the centrepiece of Britten’s work in opera and this is an important new production by the famous director Neil Armfield – it is also the fruit of a co-production with Opera Australia and Houston Grand Opera. This is the first performance of this work in Perth, and a significant event in the Perth Festival program. These performances are also special because they will form a season for one of our national treasures, The Australia Youth Orchestra, who will be resident in Perth for a rehearsal and performance period as guest artists and collaborators with our company. It is both a privilege and a pleasure to welcome them to WA and we all look forward to their contribution.
We have assembled a cast of unique strengths. Anthony Dean Griffey (who was unforgettable in the Met simulcast of this work) was born to sing Grimes and Orla Boylan, Ireland’s leading soprano, returns for a third time to West Australian Opera to sing Ellen Orford. James Clayton as Balstrode and Andrew Collis as Swallow lead a fine group of company members in a unique season of this great work, in which both the chorus and the orchestra are vital characters in their own right.
Ellen Orford -- Orla Boylan
Niece 1 -- Jennifer Barrington
Niece 2 -- Penelope Reynolds
Mrs Smedley -- Elizabeth Campbell
Aunty -- Sarah Dougiamas
Peter Grimes -- Anthony Dean Griffey
Bob Boles -- Roberto Abate
Reverend Horace Adams -- Stuart Laing
Balstrode -- James Clayton
Ned Keene -- Andrew Foote
Swallow -- Andrew Collis
Hobson -- Robert Hofmann
West Australian Opera Chorus
The Australian Youth Orchestra
Sung in English with English surtitles
Tickets available from BOCS Ticketing I 9484 1133 I BOCS outlets I online