Venus & Adonis | Ryedale Festival Opera

Director & Choreographer
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Venue: Ryedale Festival
               St Michael's Church, Malton
               All Saint's Church, Kirkbymoorside
               All Saints Church, Helmsley

Musical Director: Eamonn Dougan

Synopsis: John Blow's baroque opera - Cupid having received his bow and arrow, tries to convince the Shepherds of the joys of love. The Shepherds believe in a different kind of love - the liberal fleeting love. In Act 1 we see Venus with Adonis, her lover, in an intimate flirtatious moment before the huntsmen arrive to persuade him to go on a hunt with them. Venus encourages Adonis to join the huntmen on their quest to kill the Boar, despite him protesting that he prefers to stay alone with her instead. In Act 2, as Adonis is off hunting with his men, Cupid receives a lesson from Venus, and is joined with the little Cupids to learn about the tools of love. Whilst practising, Cupid accidentally strikes Venus with his arrow. The Graces help Venus prepare and dress her in pearls to welcome Adonis. In Act 3, a wounded Adonis is brought in Venus' chambers. In a heart-breaking duet Adonis dies in Venus' arms. As a final act of love, Venus turns Adonis into the anemone flowers.

Reviews:

"Sometimes the stars align. This was one of those rare occasions" (Opera Magazine October 2023)

"Nicolaides's background in choreography proved invaluable; her changes all moved with a grace and ensemble not often found amongst singers. If Purcell ever experienced a performance as compelling as this, it is hardly surprising that he took so much of Blow's inspiration on board in Dido and Aeneas" (Opera Magazine October 2023)

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