L'Italiana in Algeri
(L-R) Simon Brown, Naomi Boot, Xingyue Lai, Piero Regis, Tom Stephenson, Jade Mclellan, James Connolly
(L-R) Piero Regis, Zhang Shuai
(L-R) James Connolly, Jade Mclellan, Xingyue Lai, Jiaxi Lin, Iaron Behar, Piero Regis, Ellen Pearson, Zhang Shuai, Huiying Chen, Amy Karensa, Tom Stephenson, Simon Brown, Naomi Boot. (below stage) Scherzo Ensemble Orchestra
(L-R) Simon Brown, Naomi Boot, Xingyue Lai, Piero Regis, Tom Stephenson, Jade Mclellan, James Connolly
Longhope Opera, Newton Valence, 2025
Written by Gioachino Rossini
Directed by Finn Lacey
Musical direction by Matthew O'Keefe
Assistant musical direction and repetitor by Aya Robertson
Set and costume design by Finlay J Jenner
Set constructed by Tom Crichton
Lighting design by Hazuki Mogan
with thanks to Robert Henderson
Stage managed by Phoebe Francis
Assistant stage managed by Kal Chapman
Wardrobe management by Olivia Gough
Surtitles by Richard Decker
Surtitles operated by Ted Howell
Site management by Grace Tarr
Production assistance by Rebekah Wild
A Scherzo Ensemble production
Photography by Foteini Christofilopoulou
designer's notes
This was an exciting new venture for me into the world of opera.
I approached this show thematically, giving the main characters a colour and bringing those colours back in a meaningful way when they appeared on stage.
As a practitioner of music and lighting, I enjoyed creating cues in response to the music as well as following the score while operating.
Rigging and lighting in an outdoor marquee in the middle of summer was a challenge but one that I pushed through, creating a design I am proud of.