Win tickets to classic opera

Sep 4 2008 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

OPERA Tosca comes to Llandudno this month set against what is being hailed as a spectacular and grand set.

The classical opera tells the story of love, tragedy and torture and is played out against the backdrop of the Rome Colosseum for one night only at 7.30pm at Venue Cymru on Sunday, September 14.

Taking place during the era of the Napoleonic wars, Tosca boasts tender moving arias Reconita Armonia, Vissi d’Arte and E Lucevan le Stelle.

Specially designed by top London designers, the set of the grand amphitheatre is being billed as a one of the highlights of the opera aside from the beautifully expressive melodies performed by international-esteemed soloists and the Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra.

The show’s producer, Ellen Kent said the set itself was worth the admission fee alone and also believed Tosca was a great introduction to opera to those more accustomed to the goings-on of Walford, as opposed to high-brow theatre productions!

“This is probably the most expensive set I’ve ever been foolish to commission, it takes opera to its roots in classical Greek and Roman theatre,” said Ellen.

“It is a very good introduction to opera, if you like soaps – soaps come from melodrama, which comes from opera, there are subtitles on the big screen so the audience is able to read in English what is going on.

She added: “It is very dramatic story and anyone who enjoys Eastenders or Coronation Street will not be disappointed. Tosca is an unmissable experience, all the senses are assaulted, it is a feast of theatre, music and has a set to die for, it has got everything in it – don’t miss it.”

The Ellen Kent and Amphitheatre Productions will return to Venue Cymru at 7.30pm on Monday, October 20, with Puccini’s other popular opera La Bohème.

Tickets are available now priced between £19 and £33.50. Children under 14 are admitted half price. For more information contact the box office on 01492 872000 or log on to www.venuecymru.co.uk

The Weekly News has three pairs of tickets to see Tosca at Venue Cymru on Sunday, September 14. The first VIP prize includes a bottle of Russian methode Champagne, an elegant wrought iron candle holder, church candle, lace fan and souvenir programme. For a chance to win answer the following question and send your answers on a postcard including a daytime telephone number to Richard’s Tosca, Weekly News, Vale Road, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9SL.

Q: Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini was an Italian composer whose operas included Tosca, Madama Butterfly and:

a) La Bohème

b) The Phantom of the Opera

c) Carmen