PRESS RELEASE
01/11/2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The RNCM presents Monteverdi’s Ulysses
December 11, 13, 15 at 7pm and December 9 at 3pm
RNCM Theatre
Tickets: £22-35
Box office: 0161 907 5555
Following the success of Handel’s Xerxes in the spring, RNCM Opera presents Monteverdi’s
mighty Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses) this December. There will be four
performances, December 11, 13 and 15 at 7pm and December 9 at 3pm, and here’s
everything you need to know about the production…
The Music…
Based on Homer’s Odyssey, The Return of Ulysses was written in 1640 and is the first of
three full-length works Monteverdi composed for the burgeoning Venetian opera industry at
the latter part of his life. Following its successful initial run in Venice, the opera was
performed in Bologna before returning to Venice for the 1640-41 season. After this, with the
possible exception of a performance at the Imperial court in Vienna in the late 1600s, there
were no further revivals until the 20th century. It is typical of Monteverdi’s finest operas, with
a moralising prologue, an almost super-human hero, a large cast that includes the gods, the
mortals, a number of comic characters, and a score packed with virtuosic writing.
The Story…
Watched by the gods, Penelope waits on Ithaca for the return of her husband Ulysses from
the Trojan Wars. Wooed on all sides by the men of the court, what she doesn’t know is that
he’s already home, deposited in the dead of night on a beach by some friendly Phaeacians.
Reunited by the gods with his son, Telemachus, the disguised pair makes their way to the
Royal Palace. There, Penelope’s loyalty is tested by a trial that features a huge bow and
arrow, with husband and wife eventually reunited in complete, loving bliss.
The Production…
Following his highly acclaimed production of Xerxes at the RNCM in March, director Stefan
Janski teams up with set and costume designer Lara Booth, designer of the RNCM’s
successful 2011 production of Albert Herring, Xerxes conductor Roger Hamilton and
Assistant conductor Carlos del Cueto, the RNCM’s Junior Fellow in Conducting, to bring this
triumphant opera to life.
One final thing - Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria will be sung in Italian with English surtitles.
For more information, or to request interviews with members of the creative team and
cast, contact Liz Rowley, PR and Media Relations Officer, at liz.rowley@rncm.ac.uk or
call 0161 907 5369.
Notes to Editors:
Listings information:
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Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses) is written by Monteverdi with a
libretto by Giacomo Badoaro.
Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria will be staged at the Royal Northern College of Music,
Manchester, on Sunday 9 December (3pm performance only), Tuesday 11, Thursday
13 and Saturday 15 December 2012 at 7pm. Performances are given by permission
of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Limited.
Tickets, priced between £20 and £35, are now on sale. Call the box office on 0161
907 5555 or visit www.rncm.ac.uk
Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria Cast:
Daniel Shelvey Ulisse
Heather Lowe Penelope
Michael Jones Telemaco
Rebecca Starling Ericlea
Timothy Langston Eumete
Elizabeth Humphires Melanto
Adam Smith Eurimaco
Thomas Morss Pisandro, 1st Feaci
Stuart Overington Anfinomo
James Fisher Antinoo
Adam Player Iro
Catrin Woodruff Minerva
Jessica Gillingwater Giunone
Sean Boyes Giove
Thomas Hopkinson Nettuno, Tempo
Kieron-Connor Valentine L’humana fragilità
Meinir Wyn Roberts Fortuna
Alexandra Downie Amore
Gordon Hodges 2nd Feaci
Matthew Thistleton 3rd Feaci
Alexandra Downie, Meinir Wyn Roberts, Rosie Middleton, Adam Smith Coro in Cielo
Emma Stannard, Gordon Hodges, Stuart Overington, Matthew Thistleton Coro
Marittimo
RNCM Symphony Chorus
Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria Creative Team:
Roger Hamilton conductor
Carlos del Cueto assistant conductor
Stefan Janski director
Lara Booth stage and costume designer
John Bishop lighting designer
Darren Lang illusion consultant
About the RNCM:
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In addition to being one of the UK’s top conservatoires, the RNCM is recognised as
one of the North West’s leading performing venues offering a large Concert Hall and
Theatre, a smaller Studio Theatre and the newly-refurbished Carole Nash Recital
Room.
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Throughout the year the College is host to over 400 concerts and events ranging
from classical music to world music and jazz. It is both a platform for RNCM students
to develop their incredible talent, and a stage for world-class performers.
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The RNCM has a specifically designed competitive professionally equipped Opera
Theatre and enjoys a national/international reputation for its Opera productions. The
College has, against stiff competition from professional opera companies such as
Opera North and Glyndebourne, been awarded numerous nominations and won five
prestigious Manchester Evening News Awards for Opera.
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Alumni of current artists working in International Opera houses include: soprano
Amanda Roocroft; mezzo-soprano Christine Rice; tenor Barry Banks; baritone Simon
Keenlyside; and bass Sir John Tomlinson.
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To date, some of the biggest names in popular music have also appeared at the
RNCM, including Adele and Jarvis Cocker.