Organization

Buxton International Festival

Singer

Tenor

George Curnow

Agenore

Conductor

Adrian Kelly

Stage director

Jack Furness

Set designer

Hannah Wolfe

Costume designer

Lighting designer

Jake Wiltshire

Soprano

Katie Coventry

Aminta

Ellie Neate

Elisa

Olivia Carrell

Tamiri

Joseph Doody

Alessandro

Orchestra

Northern Chamber Orchestra

Italian

Il re pastore -  (The Shepherd King)

Buxton

United Kingdom

Buxton Opera House

Il re pastore Mozart

Public

The Shepherd King

English

Approved

A Buxton International Festival Production, with the Northern Chamber Orchestra

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)

Mozart was just 19 years old when he wrote Il re pastore in 1775 at the command of the Prince of Salzburg for the royal visit of Archduke Maximillian Francis of Austria. This youthful work shines with the richness of its orchestration, its inexhaustible melodic inspiration, and its dazzlingly ingenious score; it wonderfully foreshadows the composer’s future works.

The plot is based on hypothetical moments from the life of Alexander the Great and was deemed suitable entertainment for a royal visit.  Alessandro has recently conquered Sidon and is looking for the rightful heir to the throne.  He believes it is the shepherd Aminta, who is in love with the noble Elisa.  Aminta must decide if royal duty is greater than love.

Vocally, Mozart demands both lightness and agility of his singers, and every one of the arias is an expression of joy and contentment but created with enormous variety.  The opera is a reflection upon the intertwining nature of love, duty and power. At once lively and full of feeling, Mozart’s music and the unusually colourful orchestration of the arias turn this serenata into a feast for the senses.  Composed in six weeks with a libretto by Metastasio, this exquisite bucolic tale brims with energy, spirit, and enthusiasm.

Jack Furness is one of the most exciting young opera directors in Britain. Last summer he garnered a string of five-star reviews. This is his Buxton debut.

Libretto by Metastasio based on the play ‘Aminta’ by Torquato Tasso. Sung in Italian with English side-titles.

The Shepherd King by Mozart, From (2023/2023), Directed by Jack Furness,, Conductor Adrian Kelly, Buxton Opera House, Buxton, United Kingdom

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues