British conductor Richard Farnes will lead the award-winning ENO Orchestra and Chorus. Cavaradossi is sung by Korean tenor David Junghoon Kim, a former Jette Parker Young Artist (2017). Baritone Roland Wood will sing Scarpia. Current ENO Harewood Artists British bass William Thomas and bass-baritone David Ireland will sing the roles of Sciarrone and Sacristan respectively. In the role of Spoletta is Colin Judson and Angelotti will be sung by recent graduate of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme South African bass-baritone Simon Shibambu.
Artistic Director of the ENO, Annilese Miskimmon, sais, “Whether you are new to opera or an aficionado, this is the perfect time to join us for a magical evening of live classical music as the sun goes down. This is a fantastic opportunity for the ENO to bring one of the world’s most famous operas, Puccini’s Tosca, to the iconic Crystal Palace Bowl. Love, passion and intrigue all combine in an amazing evening of opera drama, with some of the most beautiful music ever written performed by internationally renowned opera stars and the full forces of the ENO Chorus and Orchestra. We are thrilled to be a part of the amazing South Facing Festival line-up.”
South Facing Festival is a new concert series coming to Crystal Palace Park this summer, drawing on the rich musical heritage of the influential South London venue. In its early years the park played host to wildly popular Handel concerts within the Crystal Palace itself: the glass and iron marvel of the Victorian age. In 1961 the Crystal Palace Concert Bowl opened in the grounds of the park with a performance by the London Symphony Orchestra, leading to successful Proms in the Park events. Since then, Crystal Palace Bowl has hosted Pink Floyd, Elton John, Eric Clapton and Bob Marley.
Crystal Palace Bowl has won numerous architecture awards and South Facing Festival will take place with a purpose-built stage on the lake. Large screens will relay the performance and microphones will be used for high quality sound. Audiences are encouraged to bring their own picnic blanket and/or pillows to settle in and make themselves comfortable on the grass. There are a limited number of seated tickets in Zone A close to the stage.
Operating the festival in a seated, picnic style allows audiences to have their own dedicated space with their family and friends.
Tickets cost £55, £45 and £35 plus a booking fee of 10% per ticket. General tickets are seated on the grass and you are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and/or cushions to make yourself comfortable on the ground. A limited number of seated tickets are available in Zone A for £65.91.
South Facing Festival: Tosca opens on Friday 27 August 2021 in Crystal Palace Park for two performances: August 27 at 19.00, August 29 at 19.00.