Between dusk and dawn, the kingdom of Elf king Oberon turns into a playground of love. With one drop of a magical love potion, Oberon intervenes in the love life of his subjects and his wife Titania. infatuation, infidelity, extacy, sorrow, and reconciliation roam the night.
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) wrote the magical opera A Midsummer Night's Dream, after Shakespeare's romantic comedy. Director Ola Mafaalani discovers the sensuality in this score and pulls all the stops.
Mafaalani's theatre is a feast for the five senses. Not only is there a focus on sight and sound, but touch, smell and taste are also treated. According to Mafaalani, often called the empress of theatrical fantasy, opera has the capability to depict all sensory experiences. "The children's choir doesn't just come up and sing, they also bake and cook while singing. When you see those children at work, you experience that full unconditional love for everything around you again. It is my goal to let A Midsummer Night's Dream become your own love affair."
Ola Mafaalani, who makes her debut at Opera Zuid with this production, sees this opera as a testimony of how cruel humanity can be in the name of love. "You can make your partner's life a living hell, and still say 'I love you'. But these words carry an obligation with them. This applies to all your relationships."
Together with an all star cast of mainly Dutch and British solists, special guests André Amaro and aerial artist Dreya Weber (known from working with P!nk), Mafaalani and acclaimed musical director Karel Deseure embark on a sultry midsummer night, with the aim of enchanting the audience.
A Midsummer Night's Dream is a coproduction with Female Economy.
Papyruszaal
Introductionary talk 18:30
Band A € 42.50
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Performed in English with Dutch and English surtitles.



Opera by Benjamin Britten
Musical director Karel Deseure
director Ola Mafaalani
director's assistant Lauren Poulton
dramaturgy Willem Bruls
decor designer André Joosten
assistant decor design Lobke Houkes
light design Floriaan Ganzevoort
costume design Regine Standfuss
chef André Amaro
orchestra philharmonie zuidnederland
cast Jan Wouters (Oberon), Kristina Bitenc (Titania), Dreya Weber (Puck), Quirijn de Lang (Theseus), Eva Kroon (Hippolyta), Jeroen de Vaal (Lysander), Ed Ballard (Demetrius), Leonie van Rheden (Hermia), Liesbeth Devos (Helena), Marc Pantus (Bottom), Christopher Gillet (Flute), Bart Driessen (Quince), Andrew Greenan (Snug), Mitch Raemaekers (Snout), Galen Dole (Starveling), Mona Beyersdorf (Cobweb), Margarita Dučaka (Peaseblossom), Maria Kazaka (Mustardseed), Jeske de Haart (Moth), Limburgse Koorschool Kokoz (Fairies)
photography Bjorn Frins