A devastating theatrical experience ****
THE TIMES, SPRING 2006

Rarely does a touring production have so much to offer … Worth moving heaven and earth to see. *****
THE INDEPENDENT, AUTUMN 2005

James Conway Director
Ryan Wigglesworth Conductor
Adam Wiltshire Designer
Aurora Orchestra

English Touring Opera is one of the leading opera companies in the U.K.  For the past 25 years, ETO has made the diverse richness of opera accessible to as wide an audience as possible.

In Autumn 2010 English Touring Opera is staging the world premiere and nationwide tour of Alexander Goehr’s opera Promised End. At the De La Warr Pavilion, the piece will be performed in repertory with The Duenna, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Tomas Linley Snr and Jnr.

Alexander Goehr’s Promised End is an opera version of King Lear, Shakespeare’s astonishing drama about old age, family – and the meaning of life. Setting Shakespeare’s text, arranged by the eminent scholar and writer Frank Kermode, Goehr has created a stark, powerful opera, a musical vision of life’s “extremest verge”.  A strong cast is led by Roderick Earle as the assailed king, Nigel Robson as his blinded retainer, and Lina Markeby in the dual role of his Fool and his faithful daughter Cordelia.

Ryan Wigglesworth conducts the award-winning, contemporary ensemble: Aurora Orchestra.

There will be a pre-performance talk at 6.30pm.

Without any trigger, one night I dreamed of Lear in Japanese, and the dream remained - Alexander Goehr, 2010

Special Offer: If you buy tickets for both Promised End and The Duenna, tickets cost only £20 each. To take advantage of this please book via the Box Office, quoting this offer on 01424 229 111