The Royal Opera presents Macbeth

The Royal Opera presents Macbeth – Verdi’s opera on Shakespeare’s tragedy, which will be screened live at Eden Cinemas Wednesday 4th April at 8.15pm, followed by an encore on Sunday 8th April at 3pm. Verdi considered Macbeth to be ‘one of the greatest creations of man’, and with his librettist, Francesco Maria Piave, Verdi set out to create ‘something out of the ordinary’. Their success is borne out in every bar of a score that sees Verdi at his most theatrical: it bristles with demonic energy. The warrior Macbeth fights on the side of the King of Scotland – but when a coven of witches prophesy that he shall become king himself, a ruthless ambition drives Macbeth and his wife to horrific acts. Murder makes Macbeth king, and intrigue and butchery are the hallmarks of his brief, doomed reign. The witches make another prediction, which also comes true: Macbeth and his lady lose their lives, and justice is restored. Phyllida Lloyd’s 2002 production for The Royal Opera is richly hued, shot through with black, red and gold. The witches – imagined by designer Anthony Ward as strange, scarlet-turbaned creatures – are ever-present agents of fate. Lloyd depicts the Macbeths’ childlessness as the dark sadness lurking behind their terrible deeds. The Royal Opera’s production uses Verdi’s 1865 Paris revision of the opera, which includes Lady Macbeth’s riveting aria ‘La luce langue’. Tickets are available at €18 for adults and €10 for children under 16. This includes a complimentary glass of wine, free parking at the Eden Leisure Car park and 25% discount at Waterbiscuit. For those unable to attend the live show, an encore screening will be held on Sunday 8th April at 3pm. Tickets are priced at €15 for adults and €10 for children, including free parking and 25% discount at Waterbiscuit. The event is sponsored by Vivian Corporation, Villa Sandi, Encore magazine, The Malta Arts Council and Waterbiscuit. The next opera production in the 2017/18 ROH Live Cinema Season is Manon on Thursday 3rd May. Tickets may be purchased from the Eden Cinemas box office or online at www.edencinemas.com.mt