Opera Double Bill : Respighi

Maria Egiziaca & La Bella Dormente nel Bosco

The life stories of two eponymous female heroes are explored in this double bill of captivating operatic works by Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, directed by Victoria Newlyn and conducted by Dominic Wheeler.

Maria egiziaca charts the decades-long spiritual journey of the third-century Christian saint Mary, weaving references to the ancient traditions of her time into the opera’s musical language. First performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1931, it was originally intended as a ‘concert triptych’, but this production offers the rare opportunity to see it fully staged.

A more famous tale, La bella dormente nel bosco is Respighi’s take on Sleeping Beauty, with a sparkling score and imaginative array of human, animal and supernatural characters. The opera comes to the Silk Street Theatre stage three years after an innovative digital version was presented by Guildhall School during the pandemic lockdown.

Sung in Italian with English Subtitles

Please note that this production contains adult content. Haze will be used.