Opera music has never been so popular in the UK, as demonstrated by the huge success of artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Katherine Jenkins and Russell Watson. Similarly, with the success of operatic stars in talent shows such as X Factor (G4) and Britain's Got Talent (Paul Potts, Andrew Johnston, Faryl Smith) the mass market audience has truly shown that 'Opera Is The New Pop'!
To celebrate the nation's new love affair with the world of operatic music is the fantastic new touring stage show, A Night at the Opera.
Featuring the stunning voice of former G4 heart-throb Jonathan Ansell, A Night at the Opera will visit 18 major cities this autumn to bring the best loved arias and tunes to the UK.
The show will feature all the classics from the world's favourite operas such as Aida, La Boheme, Cosi Fan Tutti, The Marriage of Figaro and Madam Butterfly. The show sets out to achieve what The Three Tenors achieved - making opera accessible for everybody.
Commencing on October 30th, 2008 in Cardiff, the show travels across the country and concludes with a grand finale at the London Palladium on November 23rd.
Alongside Jonathan Ansell, the show will feature a unique cast of operatic entertainers. These include the stunning Italian actress and mezzo-soprano Silvia Colloca. Soon to star in the new Gavin and Stacey movie, 'Lesbian Vampire Killers', Silvia also featured in the Hollywood movie's 'The Detonator' alongside Wesley Snipes, 'Van Helsing' with Hugh Jackman and 'Virgin Territory' with Mischa Barton. The show will also star the world-class baritone Toby Stafford-Allen, and the soprano Anna-Clare Monk.
In September, A Night At The Opera is hitting the nation's TV screens too. To coincide with the show, the producers have teamed up with ITV's daily Alan Titchmarsh Show to launch a search for the next female opera star. The entrants will be chosen from thousands, EIGHT of which will appear on the TV show on September 1st. By the end of the month the public will then choose the winner, who will perform with Jonathan Ansell on the show on September 29th. The lucky winner will be joined by the full cast on the show on October 27th, and star with them on the nationwide tour.
Classic FM is also currently running a nationwide vote through their magazine and website to find the nation's favourite aria. The winning aria will be performed each night in A Night at the Opera.
Tickets are now on sale and already flying out of the box office. To get yours before they sell out, please contact the venue box office direct.
A Night at the Opera 2008 tour dates:
OCTOBER 2008
Thur 30 CARDIFF Millennium Centre 08700 402 000
Fri 31 BRIGHTON The Brighton Centre 0844 847 1515
NOVEMBER 2008
Sun 2 SHEFFIELD City Hall 0114 278 9789
Mon 3 GATESHEAD The Sage 0191 443 4661
Wed 5 ABERDEEN Music Hall 01224 641122
Thur 6 GLASGOW Royal Concert Hall 0141 353 8000
Fri 7 NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall 0115 989 5555
Sun 9 BOURNEMOUTH BIC 0844 576 3000
Mon 10 SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion 01702 351 135
Tues 11 LIVERPOOL Philharmonic Hall 0151 709 3789
Wed 12 BASINGSTOKE The Anvil 01256 844 244
Thur 13 MANCHESTER Bridgewater Hall 0161 907 9000
Mon 16 BRADFORD St George's Hall 01274 432 000
Tues 18 BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall 0121 780 3333
Thur 20 BRISTOL Colston Hall 0117 922 3523
Fri 21 PLYMOUTH Plymouth Pavilions 0845 146 1460
Sat 22 PORTSMOUTH The Guildhall 023 9282 4355
Sun 23 LONDON Palladium 0844 412 4657
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I watched an amazing performance of 'A Night At The Opera' last nite at Sheffield City Hall - even my Husband who is not a big fan of Opera knew most of the classic songs that were perform by a brillant cast who sounded perfect together. The STAR of the show for me thou was Toby Stafford-Allen - from the 1st moment he entered he had your attention - he's expression alone told the story and his voice was outstanding.
Ist class. *******
I really enjoyed the show - its was the 1st Opera I had ever been to - I thought that Toby Stafford-Allen's performance was excellent - he made it fun from a younger persons point of view.