ETO’s operatic treats at Harrogate Theatre
This weekend sees the baroque splendour of the 18th century brought to life at Harrogate Theatre when Olivier Award-winning English Touring Opera returns to Harrogate for the fifth consecutive year.
Working once again with period instrument orchestra The Old Street Band, this year’s mini-season features two contrasting operas on Friday and Saturday.
Regarded as one of Handel’s finest serious operas, Ottone was first performed in London in 1723 at the King’s Theatre, Haymarket.
Running at Harrogate Theatre on Friday, October 31, the story centres on Ottone’s betrothal to Byzantine princess Teofane.
The pulsating plot features a bloody coup, multiple mistaken identities, and repeated captures and recaptures.
Running on Saturday, November 1, the hilarious Life on the Moon was written by Haydn during his period as Kapellmeister, or music director, of the hugely powerful Hungarian noble house of Esterházy, and was first performed in 1777.