The world premiere of Colin Matthews’ first opera, with a libretto by William Boyd, based on an intriguing Chekhov short story.

Four lead characters are rehearsing for the first performance of a recently discovered opera with a libretto written by Chekhov. Two women are both in love with a man who cannot commit himself, and during rehearsals their relationships begin to mirror the characters they are playing...

A Visit to Friends is an opera about love. Or, more accurately, about love’s frustrations. Drawing on Anton Chekhov’s short story and William Boyd’s Chekhovian play LONGING, Colin Matthews’ opera (with libretto by William Boyd) is, beguilingly, an opera within an opera, with music strongly influenced by Scriabin.

Sung in English with English surtitles.

Susanna Hurrell Nadia, Natalie
Lotte Betts-Dean Varia, Vanessa
Marcus Farnsworth Misha, Marcus
Edward Hawkins Gregor
Gary Matthewman Chris
Shosty Chekhov’s Dog

Colin Matthews composer
William Boyd libretto

Jessica Cottis conductor
William Cole assistant conductor
Berrak Dyer repetiteur
Aurora Orchestra

Rachael Hewer director
Leanne Vandenbussche designer
Danny Vavrečka lighting designer
Sasha Owen video designer
Jaz Manville assistant director
Elaine Chiang design assistant
Christina Fulcher choreographer, intimacy co-ordinator
Lou Platt artist wellbeing practitioner

Bonnie Poole company stage manager
Vicky Eames deputy stage manager
Jo Papanastassiou assistant stage manager

Corey Bennett production manager
Justin Goad lighting programmer
Tom Taylor video engineer
Magdalena Seyfried costume supervisor
Amanda MacLeod surtitles