Iestyn Morris set to appear as ‘Peter Pan’ with the Welsh National Opera
Award winning counter-tenor set to bring new life to the mythical character who never ages
Peter Pan, the timeless story by J.M. Barrie which has entered into folklore through countless iterations and adaptations, is finally set for the UK operatic stage thanks to the Welsh National Opera. Starring the award winning vocals of Iestyn Morris in the title role, the innovative staging and production of the traditional tale by Olivier Award winning director Kieth Warner, who has worked closely with British composer Richard Ayres and librettist Lavinia Greenlaw, represents a faithful but original adaptation of the classic story.
Positioned as a genuine route for youngsters into Opera, the star of a show of this magnitude has to be a perfect fit – one found in the inimitable talents of Iestyn Morris.
A former winner of the Tracey Chadwell Award for contemporary song and also winner of the Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition, Morris has performed at the top level from a young age. His reputation within the industry is such that he was specially invited to return to the latter for its centenary, as a member of the prestigious judging panel.
Enjoying a career that has seen him perform throughout Europe at some of the most revered venues in the world, Iestyn Morris, who created the role giving its world premiere in Stuttgart, is hugely excited to be recreating such a well-loved character, this time in a new co-production between WNO and Komische Oper Berlin, in what will be the UK English language premiere. In London alone Morris has appeared at Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall, as well as in recital at various locations across the capital, including concerts with The King’s Consort. Now, with ‘Peter Pan’ set to take flight once more in Morris’ capable hands, it marks the latest chapter in a stellar career.
This journey has seen Iestyn Morris perform with some of the most exciting and challenging roles in the Opera world (see below for credited highlights), and will now see him step into the magical world of J.M. Barrie’s Neverland as the iconic Peter Pan. It’s a spectacle not to be missed.
Iestyn Morris career highlights:
In opera, Iestyn Morris performed Pisandro and Human Frailty IL RITORNO D’ULISSE and Ferdinand DUCHESS OF MALFI for English National Opera, Pleasure in Gerald Barry’s THE TRIUMPH OF BEAUTY AND DECEIT for Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe, Ferdinand in the new production of Torsten Rasch’s DUCHESS OF MALFI at the Städtische Theater, Chemnitz, Medoro ORLANDO FURIOSO for Theater Basel, title role in the world premiere of Richard Ayres’ PETER PAN and the world première of Jennifer Walshe’s DIE TAKTIK for Staatstheater Stuttgart, HERCULES for De Nederlandse Opera in Amsterdam, the world premières of HOTEL DE PEKIN (the role of Anzi) and WAKE (Tom Boxer) for Nationale Reisopera, Anzi HOTEL DE PEKIN at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Alessandro TOLOMEO, Spirit DIDO AND AENEAS, Shepherd ORFEO and Historicus in Carissimi’s JEPHTE for English Touring Opera, Troll Princess East o’the Moon & West o’the Sun for Tete-a-tete, THE DEATH BY FIRE OF GIORDANO BRUNO for Heresy Records on tour in Ireland, the title role in the English language premiere of Jonathan Dove’s THE LITTLE GREEN SWALLOW for the GSM&D and Max Labouchère in Roger Scruton’s VIOLET for Guildhall Theatre Opera,
Links:
http://www.wno.org.uk/event/peter-pan
Dates
Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff – Saturday 16 & Saturday 23 May 6.30pm; Sunday 31 May 4pm
Birmingham Hippodrome – Thursday 11 June 7.15pm
Royal Opera House London – Friday 24 & Saturday 25 July 2015 7.30pm
