RNCM Opera Celebrates Gluck's 300 Year
Anniversary with Fantastic Double Bill
Liz Rowley
PR and Media Relations Officer
Royal Northern College of Music
124 Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9RD
T: 0161 907 5369
E: liz.rowley@rncm.ac.uk
W: www.rncm.ac.uk
Twitter: RNCMvoice
Facebook: RNCMLive
Following the RNCM’s critically-acclaimed production of Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore last
season, RNCM Opera turns to Gluck this Spring, and a double-bill featuring The Drunkard
Cured (L’ivrogne corrige) and Orfeo ed Euridice.
Taking place in the intimate setting of the RNCM Studio Theatre and featuring students from
the School of Vocal Studies and Opera alongside the RNCM Opera Orchestra and Chorus,
both productions are directed by Stefan Janski with set and costume designs by David
Cockayne. Early music specialist Roger Hamilton conducts, assisted by Marco Bellasi,
the College’s Junior Fellow in Conducting.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles, Orfeo ed Euridice is recognised as Gluck’s most
popular and exhilarating works. Watching Orfeo mourn the death of his wife, Euridice, Zeus
becomes so struck by his grief that he allows him to reclaim her from Hades, God of the
Underworld. If, through the power of music, Orfeo can persuade Pluto to release her, he may
guide her back to Earth on the understanding that he must not look at her until they have
crossed back to the land of the living. The task is almost completed until Euridice, unable to
understand her husband’s behaviour, claims she would rather be dead than spurned by him.
As Orfeo turns to look at her, Euridice returns to the Underworld but, touched by his lament,
Amore, God of Love, restores her to life and the opera ends in celebration.
The theme of the Underworld, gods, demons and furies is also prominent in The Drunkard
Cured, A Sobering Tale (L’ivrogne corrigé). Newly translated by Roger Hamilton, this
comedy was written just two years before the advent of Orfeo and despite its light-hearted
tone, the work includes strong intimations of the masterpiece that was to follow.
Mathurin, a drunkard, wants his niece Colette to marry his drinking partner, Lucas. But
Colette is in love with Cléon and together with Mathurin’s wife, Mathurine, the duo devise a
plot to scupper these plans. Disguising themselves as Pluto and two furies (wearing masks),
they prepare to fool Mathurin and Lucas into believing they are in Hell when they wake from
a drunken stupor. Cléon, in the role of Pluto, offers Mathurin clemency if he gives up the
drink and allows Colette to marry Cléon. When Mathurin has signed the marriage contract,
the trio remove their masks. Having made no promises, Lucas, on the other hand, resumes
his habitual ways.
Speaking of the double-bill, Stefan Janski, who is also the RNCM’s Head of Opera, said:
‘These 18th century operas, The Drunkard Cured of 1760 and Orfeo ed Euridice of 1762, are
two short but perfectly contrasting works to amuse and entertain. Between the two we have
everything from alcoholism and nagging wives, to Gods, devils, friends and lovers. The
music is fantastic and there are elements, including the famous aria ‘Che faro Euridice’, that
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begin in The Drunkard and are developed in Orfeo. It’s wonderful for the ensembles as it
shows them at their best. What’s not to like when ultimately love conquers all?’
Liz Rowley
PR and Media Relations Officer
Royal Northern College of Music
124 Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9RD
Performances takes place in the RNCM Studio Theatre at 7pm on Tuesday 18, Thursday 20,
Saturday 22 and Thursday 27 March, and at 3pm on Sunday 16 March. For one night only,
on Friday 28 March, the RNCM presents an additional concert performance of Orfeo ed
Euridice at Manchester Cathedral. It starts at 7.30pm. Tickets for all performances cost £20.
To book call 0161 907 5555 or visit www.rncm.ac.uk.
For more information or to request interviews and images, please contact Liz Rowley,
PR and Media Relations Officer, at liz.rowley@rncm.ac.uk or 0161 907 5369.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
T: 0161 907 5369
Cast and Creative Team:
E: liz.rowley@rncm.ac.uk
W: www.rncm.ac.uk
Twitter: RNCMvoice
Facebook: RNCMLive
The Drunkard Cured
Richard Moore, James Fisher* Lucas
Seamus Begg, Michael Jones* Mathurin
Lauren Lea Fielder, Emma Stannard* Mathurine
Catrin Woodruff, Meinir Wyn Roberts* Colette
Adam Temple-Smith, Timothy Langston* Cléon (Pluto)
Orfeo ed Euridice
Heather Lowe, Sophie Dicks* Orfeo
Joanna Norman, Sarah Foubert* Euridice
Catriona Hewitson, Linda Harvey* Amore
Roger Hamilton conductor
Piero Lombari Iglesias^ assistant conductor
Stefan Janski director
David Cockayne set and costume designer
Paul Botham lighting designer
Kevin Thraves chorus master
Bethan Rhys Wiliam choreographer
Antonio Tilli Italian language coach
RNCM Opera Orchestra
RNCM Chorus
* Tuesday 18 and Saturday 22 March
^ Saturday 22 March
About the RNCM:
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Liz Rowley
PR and Media Relations Officer

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.

Throughout the year the College is host to over 450 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.

The RNCM has a specifically designed, 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.

Alumni of current artists working in International Opera houses include: soprano
Amanda Roocroft; mezzo-sopranos Christine Rice, Alice Coote and Kathryn Rudge;
tenor Barry Banks; baritone Simon Keenlyside; and bass Sir John Tomlinson.
Royal Northern College of Music
124 Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9RD
T: 0161 907 5369
E: liz.rowley@rncm.ac.uk
W: www.rncm.ac.uk
Twitter: RNCMvoice
Facebook: RNCMLive
For up-to-date press releases visit www.rncm.ac.uk/press
For up-to-date news visit www.rncm.ac.uk/news
To access these links please view Headers and Footers.