The Tell-tale Heart Opera in Harrogate

Madhouse Orchestra brings world-class musicians to Harrogate to perform Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-tale Heart to life as an opera, with a one-night-only performance on Saturday 21st November.

Performing the UK première of Willem Jeths' monodrama opera The Tell-tale Heart, Madhouse Orchestra and soprano Katherine Weber McAlpine will give an unforgettable performance at the Wesley Chapel in Harrogate.

Madhouse Orchestra’s Harrogate-based conductor Fergus McAlpine has orchestrated the piece to be performed by world-class musicians – who have previously performed with London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC concert and philharmonic orchestras.

Performing in Harrogate’s more intimate setting will help create the haunting atmosphere of the macabre story by Edgar Allan Poe with 14 musicians, for a more immersive experience.

The concert is also a family affair: husband and wife Fergus and Katherine moved to Harrogate last year from Amsterdam with their two children. This will be the first full opera they perform together.

Fergus explains: “We are taking the pretensions out of classical music so this will be an unforgettable night, whether it’s the first time you have listened to classical music or you are a seasoned listener.”

He adds: “Madhouse Orchestra is different to other ensembles and specialised in bringing together a very high calibre of musicians to scale down epic musical pieces for smaller venues. We are proud to bring this performance to Harrogate.”

The performance will not only showcase local talent but gather leading musicians from all corners of the world to make a multi-national ensemble of soloists – and their personalities will shine through.

Madhouse Orchestra co-founder and cellist Patrick Bel

What to expect

The Tell-tale Heart is preceded by the awe-inspiring yet historically mysterious Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar, which was also reduced by Fergus for a unique performance of one of the UK’s most famous pieces of classical music.

The Tell-tale Heart is renowned as a classic Gothic horror and psychological thriller short story and acclaimed performances of Willem Jeth’s monodrama opera version have been enjoyed by international audiences.

Now being performed in the UK for the first time, concert-goers in Harrogate will be treated to an edge-of-your-seat evening of musical talent. Each member of Madhouse Orchestra’s international festival ensemble has a unique playing style and musical personality but prove, as a symphonic force, that music is an international language.