A Midsummer Night's Dream
Britten's classic is one of the supreme translations of Shakespeare into operatic form, his music wittily conjuring the mysteries of the Athenian wood where the confusions of love are tested and resolved. This new production by Olivia Fuchs for the Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, is presented by Stephanie Hughes.
Other rustics played by Andrew Kennedy and Andrew Sritheran (tenors). Andrew Mayor (baritone), Jonathan Best and Jeremy White (basses); fairies played by James Walsh , Ben Davies , Tom Nichols and Edmund Jillings (trebles)
City of London Sinfonia, conductor Richard Hickox
6.55 Act 1
7.50 Interval: Opera Box Stephanie Hughes is joined by Britten expert Dr John Evans , and countertenor James Bowman talks about his view of the role of Oberon. Christopher Cook continues his series of interviews with the director of the Royal Ballet, Monica Mason.
8.05 Act 2
9.00 Interval: Exit, Pursued by VAT Man
Fay Weldon 's specially commissioned story takes Hermione from A Winter's Tale and gives her a modern-day dilemma, and one no less dramatic than the original! Reader Eleanor Bron.
9.15 Act 3