Red Earth Opera perform The Capulets and The Montagues

Family feuds, gang rivalries, wars, and the plight of helpless individuals whose lives become entangled in these sorry affairs…we sadly hear about such things all the time.
Shakespeare used this familiar theme in his classic “Romeo and Juliet,” a story we all know well. But there are many variations of the same story. Vicenzo Bellini drew on an old Italian source to rework his opera “I Capuleti e il Montecchi” which he wrote in 1830.
The libretto by Felice Romani was a reworking of the story of Romeo and Juliet for an opera by Nicola Vaccai called Giulietta e Romeo and based on the play of the same name by Luigi Scevola which was written in 1818.
The story is centred around two rival families, Montagues and Capulets and their supporters, and the ongoing vendetta between them. The music is stirring, much of it martial, yet parts are thought provoking and poignant, a surprise for some, maybe. It was described at the time as “an unclouded and immediate success” and has continued to be sung fairly frequently since.
The opera has been translated into English under the title of “The Capulets and the Montagues” and will be sung entirely in English by Red Earth Opera in Totnes on Saturday, October 28. This production will be semi-staged, under the musical directorship of Jane Anderson Brown and directed by Anna Gregory, herself an accomplished soprano. You may spot some familiar Totnes faces, Emily Grossman is in the choir and there are other locals in the orchestra.
Red Earth Opera was founded by Jane Anderson Brown over ten years ago following a meeting where performers wanted to sing and play opera in Devon, and to involve local musicians. The aim was to make opera accessible to the public at affordable prices. Soloists are all professional or semi-professional singers, with a chorus drawn from several local choirs to include both professional and amateur singers.
There is full orchestral accompaniment, not a common occurrence. Although originally founded to be local, soloists have been attracted from London, Somerset, Cornwall and Wales. In all, a very high quality of work is produced.
All Red Earth operas are sung in English, and have included Mozart’s “Idomeneo”, Gluck’s “Iphegenia in Taurus”, “La Clemenza di Tito” by Mozart, as well as lighter pieces such as Rossini’s “Cinderella” and Donizetti’s “The Love Potion”. Red Earth Opera have also given concerts to include popular selections from the works of Verdi, Bizet, Tchaikowsky, Gounod, Puccini and others.
Red Earth Opera has performed in several Devon towns but this is a first for Totnes to witness such a work on such a scale. Whether you are already a keen opera buff or a complete novice, we advise you to come along to Bellini’s “Capulets and Montagues” on Saturday, October 28 at 7.30pm.
The venue is St John’s Church, Bridgetown, Totnes, TQ9 5AD. Tickets are £15 and £12 for concessions. Refreshments will be served.