Theatre Reviews

The English National Opera have announced season 2012/13, which includes nine new productions. This puts them on track to continue the success that won the Olivier individual achievement Award in 2012.

Among the new productions are two new commissions: The Sunken Garden by Dutch composer, film and stage director Michel van der Aa (an “occult mystery film opera”, exploring “hoax and dark truth” in the physical and virtual worlds); and The Perfect American by Philip Glass, a fictionalised account of Walt Disney’s later years, based on a novel Peter Stephan Junck.

As 2013 is the bicentenary of Verdi’s birth, and the centenary of Britten’s, there will be a new production of Traviata — in one act! — and new performances of Britten’s Death in Venice. Other highlights include Martinů’s Julietta in a new production by Richard Jones, with music director Edward Gardner conducting; and a masterpiece of the seventeenth century, Charpentier’s Medea in a new production by David McVicar.

Here is the full list:

The Magic Flute, Mozart — conductor Nicholas Collon, revival of Nicholas Hytner’s production. Opens 13 September 2012.

Julietta, Martinů — conductor Edward Gardner, new production by Richard Jones, based on his recent production in Paris. Opens 17 September 2012.

Julius Caesar, Handel — conductor Christian Curnyn, new production by Michael Keegan-Dolan. Opens 1 October 2012.

Don Giovanni, Mozart — conductor Edward Gardner, revival of Rufus Norris’s production. Opens 17 October 2012.

The Pilgrim’s Progress, Vaughan Williams — conductor Martyn Brabbins, new production by Yoshi Oïda. Opens 5 November.

Carmen, Bizet — conductor Ryan Wigglesworth, new production by Calixto Bieito. Opens 21 November 2012.

The Mikado, Gilbert and Sullivan — conductor David Parry, revival of Jonathan Miller’s production. Opens 1 December 2012.

La Traviata, Bizet — conductor Michael Hofstetter, new tight, modern production in one act by Peter Konwitschny. Opens 2 February 2013.

Medea, Charpentier — conductor Christian Curnyn, new production by David McVicar. Opens 15 February 2013.

The Barber of Seville, Rossini — conductor Jaime Martín, revival of Jonathan Miller’s production. Opens 25 February 2013.

The Sunken Garden, Michel van der Aa — at the Barbican Theatre, World Premiere, directed by the composer. Opens 12 April 2013.

Wozzeck, Berg — conductor Edward Gardner, new production by Rupert Goold. Opens 11 May 2013.

The Perfect American, Glass — UK Premiere, directed by Phelim McDermott. Opens 1 June 2013.

Death in Venice, Britten — conductor Edward Gardner, revival of Deborah Warner’s production seen in Brussels and Milan in 2011. Opens 14 June 2013.