Newcastle - Event

Opera North, always worth catching, returns to Newcastle's Theatre Royal. Joining Tim Albery's revival of Mozart's Così fan tutte are two new productions: Massenet's Werther, directed by Tom Cairns, and Janácek's The Adventures of Mr Broucek directed by John Fulljames.

Mozart's double pair of duped lovers - Dorabella (Victoria Simmonds), Fiordiligi (Elizabeth Atherton), Ferrando (Allan Clayton) and Guglielmo (Quirijn de Lang) - are in a tizz over the challenge Geoffrey Dolton's Don Alfonso has set, aided and abetted by Amy Freston's Despina. Andrew Parrott conducts (in English; 17 & 20 November).

Massenet's tragic Werther stars Paul Nilon in the title role, with Alice Coote and Ann Taylor sharing the role of his beloved Charlotte (in French; 18 & 21 November). Music director Richard Farnes conducts.

Finally Janácek's Broucek, played by John Graham Hall, is a drunken landlord who dreams two adventures; the first on the moon, the second in 15th-century Prague. Martin André conducts a strong cast, also including Jonathan Best and Donald Maxwell (in English; 19 November).