This February, the English National Opera (ENO) will ignite the London Coliseum with a provocative new production of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s satirical masterpiece, Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny. Running for just three performances from February 16–20, the production marks a major milestone: the ENO debut of André de Ridder as the company's Music Director Designate.
A Masterclass in Satire and Sound
Originally premiered in 1930, Mahagonny is a biting critique of consumerist excess and capitalist greed. The score is a brilliant, "electric" fusion of operatic tradition with the smoky jazz, cabaret, and ragtime of the Weimar Republic. It features the legendary "Alabama Song"—a track so resonant it has been covered by icons ranging from David Bowie to The Doors.
Director Jamie Manton, an Olivier Award nominee hailed as one of the most talented of his generation, leads this "fresh and vital" staging. The production features a world-class cast led by international soprano Danielle de Niese in the role of Jenny Smith. She is joined by an elite ensemble including:
Simon O’Neill: The world-renowned heldentenor making his ENO debut as Jimmy MacIntyre.
Rosie Aldridge: The "spectacular" mezzo-soprano starring as Leokadja Begbick.
Kenneth Kellogg & Mark Le Brocq: Returning to the Coliseum as the fugitives Trinity Moses and Fatty the Bookkeeper.
Accessible Opera for All
True to the ENO’s mission of breaking down barriers, this production remains highly accessible. Under 21s can claim free tickets at every level of the theatre, while 21–35-year-olds benefit from significant discounts. For all other attendees, tickets start at a remarkably low £15.
Performed in English with surtitles, this production promises to be a daring exploration of a 20th-century classic. With the Orchestra and Chorus of the ENO performing Weill’s iconic score under De Ridder’s "livewire" baton, Mahagonny is the must-see operatic event of the spring season.
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