Mozart: Apollo et Hyacinthus

Classical Opera returns to St John’s Smith Square with a new production of Mozart’s delightful Apollo et Hyacinthus, the second of his two stage works from 1767. The opera is sung in Latin, and is based on a colourful story from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Mozart was only eleven years old when he wrote this remarkable work, but the music is astonishingly accomplished, frequently anticipating the wonders of his maturity. The opera will be preceded by a staging of the superb dramatic cantata Grabmusik, and the cast includes John Mark Ainsley, Gemma Summerfield, Tim Mead and Benjamin Appl.

Apollo descends to earth and proposes marriage to Oebalus’ daughter Melia. But when he goes to play discus with her brother Hyacinthus and his friend Zephyrus, a tragic accident occurs, after which nothing will ever be the same again...