FALL WEEK IN LONDON
Wednesday, October 7th through Thursday, October 15th
For our overdue return to London’s vibrant musical life, we have chosen a week during the ideal fall weather of early October instead of the busy summer season when the crush of tourists can overwhelm the city. With three evenings at Covent Garden (two operas and a ballet), one at the English National Opera, and a midday chamber concert at Wigmore Hall, our program promises to offer an exciting variety of London’s superlative classical performances. Our hotel is within easy walking distance of Covent Garden.
Our two operas at Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House will be Mozart’s peerless human comedy, Le Nozze di Figaro, and Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos, one of his masterworks inspired by his partnership with his favorite librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal. The international casts will feature the Uruguayan bass Erwin Schrott in his virile portrayal of Figaro and the glamorous Finnish soprano Karita Mattila as Strauss’s Ariadne. A third evening in London’s most prestigious theatre will be the celebrated Kenneth MacMillan production of Romeo and Juliet, one of the most beautiful ballets in the entire repertoire, set to Sergei Prokofiev’s rapturous score.
We are also fortunate to attend a midday Recital by the radiant Argentine cellist Sol Gabetta in the intimate ambience of London’s Wigmore Hall. We are always gratified whenever our schedule enables us to include a Wigmore Hall experience.
At the esteemed English National Opera, we will enjoy the harsh realism of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk by Dmitri Shostakovich. This important revival is being mounted for the versatile American soprano Patricia Racette, who will assume the challenging title role for the first time.
Accommodations for seven nights with full buffet breakfast at the Kingsway Hall Hotel, a discovery for us which has proven to be notably popular on our recent London Tours. The Kingsway Hall is a comfortable, fully-serviced four-star property ideally located a few minutes walk from Covent Garden and within reasonable walking distance of many West End theatres. For our busy evening schedule, you will be grateful that we will not have to rely on early bus departures during the heaviest London traffic. The Kingsway Hall’s public rooms include the Harlequin Restaurant and the Lounge Bar, and there is a small gym with Jacuzzi and steam room. Many attractive restaurants, cafés and shops are easily accessible in the Covent Garden neighborhood.
Price Per Person (based on Double Occupancy): $6,350
Price Per Person (based on Single Occupancy): $7,600