Fidelio opens Glyndebourne season

A Midsummer Nights Dream is also to be revived

Glyndebourne's 2001 opera season starts on Thursday with a new production of Beethoven's only opera, Fidelio.

Deborah Warner's production promises an adventurous, contemporary look at the opera's famous story of imprisonment, injustice and redemption.

"It's an updated production - it's in modern dress - but it's essentially timeless," said a Glyndebourne spokewoman.

"The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment play period instruments and give it a real, vibrant energy."

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment will by conducted by Simon Rattle.

The opera is designed by Jean Kalman, with costumes by John Bright.

Glyndebourne's 2001 season, which runs from 17 May to 26 August, will also see the opera house's first production of Verdi's Otello, directed by Peter Hall and designed by John Gunter.

Revivals

The London Philharmonic Orchestra - playing their 38th consecutive year at Glyndebourne - will accompany all the productions save Fidelio.

2000's Le Nozze di Figaro is to return

The season will also include several revivals: Janácek's The Makropulos Case and Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, in Peter Hall's famous production - specially adapted for the new opera house.

The opera house will also be showing Harrison Birtwistle's latest stage work The Last Supper, an original retelling of Christian history revived after its premiere in Berlin and British premiere with Glyndebourne Touring Opera.

Touring

At the other end of the spectrum, Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro - a new production in 2000 - will be conducted by Glyndebourne Touring Opera's Music Director Louis Langrée

Glyndebourne will tour three productions this year - Le Nozze di Figaro, Fidelio and Handel's Rodelinda.

There will also be three recitals, with the baritone Simon Keenlyside, mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter and Lieder specialist Matthias Goerne.