The Finnish National Opera is set to present “Festen” by composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and librettist Lee Hall. The production by Richard Jones, which first opened at the Royal Opera House in London in February 2025 to critical acclaim, will star Darren Jeffery, Susan Bickley, Daniel Brenna, John Chest and Natalya Romaniw. They will be joined by Georgia Jarman, Kirsi Tiihonen and Robert Bork. James Hendry {…}
The Olivier Awards has announced the 2025 winners. The Royal Ballet & Opera’s “Festen” was the big winner in the two opera categories. The new piece by Mark-Anthony Turnage and Lee Hall was awarded Best New Opera Production and Outstanding Achievement in Opera for Allan Clayton. “Festen” premiered at the Royal Ballet & Opera to rave reviews, with OperaWire noting, {…}
(Photo: Sebastian Nevols) The Royal Opera in London is set to present the world premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s “Festen” this February. The work features a libretto by Lee Hall based on Vinterberg’s revolutionary Dogme 95 film of the same name. The story explores a family reunion gone wrong when secrets expose an abusive relationship between the patriarch and his children. {…}
