PAST PRODUCTIONS
2024-2026
LA TRAVIATA
March, 2024, Abbey Theatre, St Albans
We set Verdi's La Traviata traditionally, in period costume with John Heath's excellent direction. The performances were conducted by David Ireson.
AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS
January 2025, St Peters Church, St Albans
Menotti’s heartwarming one-act opera was first presented by SACO forty years ago in the Abbey. This time we were in the beautifully refurbished nave of St Peter’s.
The story centres on Amahl, a disabled shepherd-boy who offers his crutch to be given as a present to the Christ child. He is healed and joins the Three Kings as they continue their way to Bethlehem.
Menotti’s wonderful music was played by the SACO orchestra and we also had dancers from SASA School of Performing Arts. Tim Armstrong-Taylor was our director and David Ireson once again conducted.
CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA / GIANNI SCHICCHI
March 2025, Abbey Theatre, St Albans
A relatively rare double-bill, we performed Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, directed by Paula Chitty, as an excellent comic antidote to the tragic drama (set on Easter Day in a Scicillian village) of Muscagni's Cavalleria Rusticana, directed by John Heath. Both operas were conducted by Peter Jones.
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
February 2026, Abbey Theatre, St Albans
David Ireson conducted a performance of Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro, in English as usual. We were directed again by Paula Chitty, who set the opera in a London hotel in the era of Pop Art. Both the costumes and set were bright and colourful, and much fun was had performing this delightfully chaotic opera.
