Published on 03/04/19

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Two Music Theatre Wales Productions Shortlisted for Fedora Generali Prize for Opera

Published on 03/04/19

Music Theatre Wales is delighted to announce that two of its forthcoming productions have been placed on the final shortlist for the international Fedora Generali Prize for Opera following the original nominations in February. The Prize pays tribute to creativity and innovation in the field of opera, supporting artistic excellence with the aim of helping to shape the future of the art form.

The two Music Theatre Wales’ operas are amongst a total shortlist of 4 operas which have been chosen by the Fedora Prize Jury for the Opera Prize. https://www.fedora-platform.com/competition/jury.

The shortlisted operas will now run Crowdfunding Campaigns on The Fedora Platform where people can support the projects of their choice until May 31

The Music Theatre Wales’ operas on the final shortlist are Violet by Tom Coult and Alice Birch, a co-production led by Music Theatre Wales with Snape Maltings as part of Aldeburgh Festival and Theater Magdeburg, Germany. The production will tour in the UK in June and Autumn 2020 and play in Germany in Spring 2021. This bid is being led by Music Theatre Wales. https://www.fedora-platform.com/competition/nominees/violet/122

Also on the list is Denis and Katya by Phil Venables and Ted Huffman, a coproduction led by Opera Philadelphia with Music Theatre Wales and Operá Orchestre Montpellier. The production will open in Philadelphia in September 2019 and tour the UK in Spring 2020. This bid is being led by Opera Philadelphia. https://www.fedora-platform.com/competition/nominees/denis-katya/76

Violet follows a story where time collapses with the sudden and unexpected loss of one hour on each consecutive day. As ordered society starts to violently fall apart, one woman sees an opportunity to break free and begin again. Whilst Denis and Katya tells the true story of Denis Muravyov and Katya Vlasova, two fifteen-year-old lovers who died after documenting online their stand-off with Russian Special Forces on November 14, 2016. Both productions will be performed in the UK with the London Sinfonietta, working in association with Music Theatre Wales.

Artistic Director Michael McCarthy says

“We are delighted that both operas have been recognised as innovative new pieces by the Jury and have reached the final shortlist. As part of the process we have created short films to tell people about the operas and engage them with the work being produced. The Crowd Funding Campaign is also now underway via The Fedora Prize Platform giving people the chance to support the operas in a number of ways as well as gaining a number of benefits themselves surrounding the projects.”

The final winner will be announced on June 28th at the Fedora Prizes Award Night at Teatro La Fenice in Venice. The prize is worth €150,000 towards the commission and production of the winning opera.

Fedora has 3 major European prizes supporting Opera, Ballet and Education. It is also open to partners in America who are working with European companies. Music Theatre Wales is the only UK producer leading a nominated bid and one of only two UK organisations nominated for the Fedora Generali Prize for Opera, the other being Snape Maltings who are co-producing Violet with MTW and will host the world premiere at the Festival in 2020.

PRESS CONTACT:

UK National and Wales:
Penny James, Freelance Publicist
penny.james@btopenworld.com
07854 114 782

Music Theatre Wales

Based in Cardiff, Music Theatre Wales is the UK’s leading contemporary opera company. By commissioning outstanding composers and writers, developing the opera creators of the future and presenting works by the world’s most important contemporary composers – including Harrison Birtwistle, Peter Maxwell Davies, Philip Glass, Michael Tippett, Peter Eötvös, Philippe Boesmans - the company brings vibrant new opera to audiences across Wales, the UK and internationally.