English Touring Opera presents the first performance in 230 years of The Duenna, an opera written by a playwright – Richard Brinsley Sheridan, with music supplied by the famous Linley family of Bath.

When The Duenna was written, back in 1775, it broke all box office records of the day and established the fortunes of the Covent Garden Theatre. Within four years of the first performance, Sheridan’s work had been toured around the world – as far afield as Jamaica.

The creation of this exuberant comedy was surrounded by scandal. Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Irish playwright and parliamentarian, had eloped with the daughter of the composer Thomas Linley. Just months later, Sheridan was writing an opera about a society elopement, with Linley commissioned to write the arias, unaware of the play’s real subject. Frustrated by Sheridan’s secrecy, Thomas Linley gave much of the composition to his prodigious son, Thomas Linley the younger. Linley has been described as, “the English Mozart” and wrote beautiful songs for this opera before he drowned at the age of 22, cruelly depriving England of a great musical talent.

The result is an unusual opera of shining wit and levity, and one of Sheridan’s best received stage works. Michael Barker Caven’s new production showcases the comic talents of Richard Suart, Nuala Willis and Adrian Thompson, alongside a clutch of young singers. The 17-piece period orchestra is directed by Joseph McHardy, in his opera debut.

So, if you’re into the great comic operas of Mozart, but want to see something new – or if you’re a theatre-lover, and want to discover Sheridan’s most celebrated work, join us for The Duenna.

The production is performed in English with cast in full period costume. There will be pre-show talks commecing at 6.30pm before each performance.

Tickets:£17.50, discounts available.