Published: 08 March 2011
Category: Vocal & Opera

Mezzo soprano Diana Montague and tenor Thomas Hobbs will both perform in the new production of Monteverdi’s The Return of Ulysses at English National Opera, conducted by Jonathan Cohen. For Thomas Hobbs, this will be his ENO debut. The performances will take place at the Young Vic, where ENO has had great success with several quirkier productions in the past; indeed the collaboration between ENO and the Young Vic has earned a South Bank Show Award. The first night is on March 24 and is already sold out.

The Young Vic provides a great space for more unusual and intimate staging. This production - by Australian Benedict Andrews, who has made his name with his original reinterpretations of classic texts and for whom this is his UK directorial debut - promises to be no less radical. Monteverdi’s opera is considered to be one of the art form’s earliest masterpieces and, with an excellent cast, this production is much anticipated.

Diana Montague’s engagement this season and beyond include Damira La verita in cimento for Garsington, Gertrude Roméo et Juliette for the Royal Opera House and Larina Onegin for both ROH and ENO. Thomas Hobbs has a busy concert diary, making his debut with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, touring Bach’s B Minor Mass under Philippe Herreweghe (which will also be recorded for a commercial albu), as well as concerts and tours with the Bach Akademie Stuttgart, the Bach Chor Munich and the Dunedin Consort. An Associate of the Classical Opera Company, Thomas also has several performances with them this season at London’s Kings Place and the Wigmore Hall.

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