Garsington Opera: Le Comte Ory

Programme

Revel in Rossini’s world of subterfuge, disguises and farce, in this comical tale of one-upmanship and troublesome love triangles.

The Count of Formoutiers and his men have left to fight in the Crusades. Enter the young Count Ory: a chancer, moral low-life, and with a devious desire to seduce the Countess Adèle while the court is away fighting. Through disguises and heists Ory plans to make his way into the Countess’s inner circle. But a challenger appears – Ory’s page Isolier has similar plans to woo the countess. With threats, trickery and romantic entanglements aplenty, just whose plots will unravel…

Rossini’s final comedic opera demonstrates why he is the unmistakable master of the farcical genre. With dazzling vocal lines, memorable tunes, and plenty of slapstick, his music perfectly encapsulates the ridicule and humour of the plot with hilarious results.

We welcome conductor Valentina Peleggi in her Philharmonia and Garsington debut leading a production by Cal McCrystal, starring tenor Jack Swanson as the eponymous character.