Macbeth - Wellington

The NBR New Zealand Opera presents the Genesis Energy Season of 'Macbeth', at the St James Theatre in Wellington, 9 - 16 October 2010.

Verdi’s Macbeth, one of the greatest operas Shakespeare’s work has inspired, is the classic tale of ambition, corruption and bloody revenge.

On deciding to programme Macbeth, Aidan Lang had no doubts that bringing in Opera North’s 2008 production was the ideal option. “Opera North is an award-winning opera company and one of the leading arts organisations in Europe,” he says, “and this is a compelling production. It’s austere, hard hitting and truthful, an uncompromising piece of work that gets to the heart of the tragedy.”

Brought to the stage by internationally acclaimed theatre and opera director, Tim Albery, Lang says he has secured a top national and international cast to make this a captivating production.

Welsh baritone Jason Howard, who was thrilling as Enrico in the Company’s 2007 production of Lucia di Lammermoor, is in the title role. Alongside him are Italian soprano Antonia Cifrone as Lady Macbeth, New Zealand-born bass Jud Arthur as Banquo, and returning following his exciting portrayal of Lensky in 2009’s Eugene Onegin, Russian tenor Roman Shulackoff as Macduff.

Conducting the orchestras is highly lauded maestro Guido Ajmone-Marsan.

An Opera North production.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles

With special guests, the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus. Accompanied by the Vector Wellington Orchestra.