North Wales Opera Company returns with a powerful new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto (touring the West Midlands May 13 – 17) culminating in an atmospheric production in Shrewsbury Abbey on May 17th.
A company known for bringing high-quality, accessible opera to regional audiences, North Wales Opera continues its mission of showcasing emerging talent alongside experienced performers. With a reputation for nurturing ‘opera stars in the making’, their productions combine professional standards with an energy and freshness that has become their hallmark.
NWOS’ latest production Rigoletto features an international cast, with the demanding title role shared across the week by two accomplished baritones.
London-based Chris Childs Santos brings significant experience to the part, having recently returned from performing Nabucco in Italy, and with previous performances of Rigoletto already under his belt. Sharing the role is Lithuanian baritone Marius Bytautas, who will be taking on the character for the first time. He does so under the guidance of director Anne Williams King, herself a former professional opera singer whose career has spanned both performance and direction. Her background as a performer gives her a particular insight into developing singers, something that has long been a defining feature of the company’s work.
The role of Gilda will be performed by Ukrainian soprano Khrystyna Makar, a graduate of the Lviv National Music Academy, bringing both vocal clarity and emotional depth to one of opera’s most poignant heroines. Maddalena, the sharp and seductive sister of the assassin Sparafucile, will be played by two contrasting performers: Myome Mortimer-Davies from Port Talbot, a former Royal Northern College of Music student and Miss Earth Wales Air 2023, and Juliet Telford of Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
The charismatic and morally dubious Duke of Mantua will be shared by tenors Lewis Quinn and Robin Dick, ensuring a dynamic interpretation of one of Verdi’s most famous roles.
Musical direction will be led by Andrew Charity, assisted by Jack Campbell—composer, collaborative pianist and winner of the Musicians’ Company Silver Medal. Accompanying the singers will be a live pit band provided by the SY1 Ensemble from Shrewsbury, adding further local connection to this ambitious production.
Director Anne Williams King said: “If you’re new to the world of opera, there’s no better place to start than with Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto. Set against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy, it’s a dramatic tale of love, betrayal and revenge.”
Of the NWOS mission, she said: “We are in existence to provide training and quality performing opportunities for young emerging artists and rely mostly on ticket sales to fund our projects.
“We also encourage local talented people to join us to be part of the chorus and sing the smaller parts. So if you enjoy our productions and want us to continue producing professional standard opera performances please continue to support us!”
With its combination of a compelling story, soaring music and a cast drawn from across the UK and beyond, this promises to be a memorable evening. Whether you are a seasoned opera-goer or completely new to the genre, North Wales Opera Company’s Rigoletto offers a perfect opportunity to experience live opera at its most engaging.
About North Wales Opera Studio
Founder and director of North Wales Opera Studio Anne WIlliams King explains her mission to bring professional opera to the Welsh Borders – and give rising stars opportunities to perform key roles.
North Wales Opera Company and Studio evolved from humble beginnings some five years ago when my husband David Bartleet and I started to run singers’ workshops in the Wrexham area.
These were productive and successful and, before long, we were organising week-long opera courses and preparing scenes from a variety of operas, depending on the singers we had, culminating in staged performances. These courses and resulting performances were highly successful and much appreciated by our local audiences.
I’m Wrexham born – David is originally from Birmingham – and between us we have a wealth of experience to offer talented singers. We welcome all those from beginners to advanced into our midst.
We’ve been in the opera business for many years, as singers ourselves and David has also run his own successful opera agency. We have both worked with top directors, conductors, voice teachers and coaches during our careers.
We therefore have the opportunity to gather, from our friends and colleagues, excellent top class professionals who love to come to NWOS to give their expertise.
We provide something in the North Wales area which is unique – expert training in voice, stage craft, language pronunciation, rehearsal etiquette, along with career advice, mentoring and, all importantly, quality performing experiences.
Our students have also had the invaluable experience of performing with local orchestras, including Wrexham Symphony Orchestra, North Wales Sinfonia and Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra.
Nothing brings people on like getting up there and doing it! In the last few years, we have progressed to fully staging with a live orchestra a number of operas such as ‘Carmen’, ‘La Boheme’, ‘La Traviata’, ‘Suor Angelica’ , ‘Tosca’ and more, with great public acclaim.
Also, we are now providing paid opportunities for young singers by putting on oratorios and concerts in the North Wales area.
Upcoming events include ‘Night at the Opera’, on July 18th at Llanfyllin Workhouse and July 25th at Llangollen Pavilion, followed by ‘Madama Butterfly’ from December 2 – 6 in Llangollen, Chester, Oswestry, Liverpool and Shrewsbury.
NWOS brings Verdi’s‘Rigoletto’ to Llangollen, Chester, Oswestry, Liverpool and Shrewsbury this May, accompanied by Ensemble SY1. Tickets available now!
May 13 – Llangollen Town Hall
May 14 – Chester Town Hall
May 15 – Oswestry Holroyd Community Theatre
May 16 – Liverpool St George’s Hall
May 17 – Shrewsbury Abbey (with elevated staging)
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/NWOS-Rigoletto
The Plot in a Nutshell: Rigoletto
Rigoletto is a tragic opera about a hunchbacked, cynical court jester who tries to protect his innocent daughter, Gilda, from his lecherous employer, the Duke of Mantua. After the Duke seduces her, Rigoletto plots revenge, but a curse placed on him by a scorned nobleman results in Gilda sacrificing her life to save the Duke, leaving Rigoletto devastated.
