Adriana Mater - English National Opera

Adriana Mater - English National Opera description

There's a violent civil war. Adriana gets pregnant after being brutally assaulted by a soldier. She decides to keep the baby and calls him Yonas, bringing him up with love and hope for a better future. He hasn't a clue who his dad is but when he finds out, many years later, Yonas is determined to wreak revenge. Adriana believes mercy, kindness and love are the only answer to breaking the cycle of male violence and bringing peace to their country. This is Adriana Mater, an opera that neatly rights the wrongs presented in Tosca, making them the perfect companions. See both of them to have your mind blown twice!

Resistance, resilience, motherhood, hope, and what it means to be free are just a few of the powerful themes covered in this beautiful story. The composer Kaija Saariaho was named the 'greatest living composer' in 2019 by the year's BBC Music Magazine poll. She died in 2023 but remains a hero of contemporary classical music – and her work lives on. The composer's son, writer-director Aleksi Barrière, translated the opera into English, conducted by ENO Music Director Designate André de Ridder and directed by Annilese Miskimmon, their first collaboration. Kristina Stanek sings the lead role on her ENO debut, supported by a glittering cast of world-class singers. Expect epic unforgettable drama.

Playing at London Coliseum (venue info)