U.K. based company Bampton Classical Opera will two one-act opera concerts of Gluck’s “The Crown (“La Corona”),” on May 18 at London’s St. John’s Smith Square and May 22 at University Church, Oxford.

Both showcases were originally scheduled for 2020, but due to the pandemic were canceled and eventually rescheduled for 2021. For audiences unable to attend the live showcases, the May 18 presentation will be recorded and made available to view starting on May 23.

Early Music Specialist Robert Howarth will direct a cast that includes Lucy Anderson, winner of the Bampton Young Singers Competition 2019 award, as Asteria. Other cast members include Harriet Eyley as Meleagro, Samantha Louis-Jean as Atalanta, Lisa Howarth as Climene, and Rosa French as the narrator. The opera will be directed by Robert Howarth.

The opera, which was written by librettist Metastasio, is based on a story from Ovid’s “Metamorphoses.” In the work, Meleagro, Prince of Calydonia, is attempting to chase down a wild boar that is ruining his kingdom. Meanwhile, Atalanta, Cimene, and Asteria debate where to join in the chase, annoyed that only men will be given the glory. In the end, Atalanta wounds the beast, allowing Meleagro to deliver the death blow. In the end, they offer up the crown of glory to Emperor Francis, for whom the opera was commissioned.