MID WALES OPERA will be stopping off at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, next week, as they present their most ambitious and spectacular touring production ever. Described as 'the perfect operatic entertainment for audiences of all ages', Smetana's delightful opera, The Bartered Bride, has never ceased to fill theatres throughout the world. The rich range of emotions and humour of its colourful characters is set to music of great charm and boundless energy, including its ever-popular Overture, circus-music and dances. Although it is regularly performed by all the major opera companies, this will be the first time that it will have received a professional performance in Wales. True to their reputation for innovative and thought- provoking productions, MWO has taken the adventurous step of bringing the opera closer to the Torch Theatre by setting it entirely in Wales! All the vitality and colour of a Czech village festival will be seamlessly transported to a rural Welsh community as it prepares for an Eisteddfod. To assist in this change, MWO has commissioned a completely new English translation from Amanda Holden, Britain's best-known opera translator, who has worked with the company several times already. The story of The Bartered Bride is very different from the blood-and-thunder dramas of some of MWO's recent productions. Young love emerges triumphant at the end, but only after a series of adventures involving a crooked solicitor, a wicked step-mother and her simple-minded son, an extrovert ringmaster, a beautiful can-can dancer, a performing bear, and two whip-cracking and knife- throwing circus performers. Like all great operas, it is full of contrasts of mood, with a feeling for tragedy never far away, and with some deeply moving arias and ensembles among the humour and vitality - all accompanied by glorious music with a never-ending flow of melodies accompanied by MWO's own chamber orchestra. This promises to be one of the company's most memorable and original productions, giving you a fantastic night out. To book your tickets for the performance on Friday, September 15, call the Box Office on 01646 695 267.
