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ENGLISH TOURING OPERA
A SEASON OF GREAT PLAYWRIGHTS IN OPERA

THE DUENNA
By RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, with music by THOMAS LINLEY SNR and JNR

Few operas can be said to have created theatrical history - yet this is true of The Duenna, the work of famed playwright and parliamentarian Richard Brinsley Sheridan. For 75 years it was the nation’s favourite opera, praised by Byron and Dr. Johnson, amassing the fortunes of the Covent Garden Theatre.

This exuberant comedy had its origins in a society scandal. Sheridan had eloped with the daughter of composer, Thomas Linley. Months later, the playwright was writing an opera about a society elopement, with Linley commissioned to write the arias, one-by-one, unaware of the play’s real subject. Frustrated, Linley assigned much of the composition to his 19-year-old son, also called Thomas, an admired friend of Mozart whose death at 22 deprived England of a great musical talent.

For this rare performance, ETO has assembled a strong cast featuring artists of both the opera and theatre stages, including Richard Suart, Adrian Thompson and Nuala Willis, accompanied by a period orchestra. Sheridan's only opera will be directed by Michael Barker Caven, best known for his award winning stage work in Ireland.

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