Benjamin Davis - Stage Director
Benjamin Davis | Benjamin DavisStage DirectorHANSEL AND GRETEL ACCLAIM ‘This production was first seen in 1998... But its latest Welsh National Opera revival vies with the best...The element of slapstick and pantomime is always slickly managed in the outer acts and contrasts wonderfully with the central ritual of the dreamed banquet, which is surreal yet magical in its effect.’ - The Guardian, June 3, 2008 ‘Wickedly entertaining, entertainingly wicked, Richard Jones's ten-year-old production of Engelbert Humperdinck's 1893 opera is in danger of giving cannibalism a good name. Last Christmas it was thrilling audiences at the New York Met. Now revived by Welsh National Opera, the company that first staged it, it is every bit as good as when it was new.’ - The Times, June 2, 2008 ‘This revival had just about everything going for it with Welsh National Opera at its total best without a single weak link anywhere. It was a night when Welsh National Opera could do no better. It was world-class opera.’ - South Wales Echo, June 2, 2008 OTHER ACCAIM ‘I haven't the space to do justice to Welsh National Opera's revival of Richard Jones' production of Berg's Wozzeck, but it's stunningly good, and I do urge anyone with a serious interest in opera not to miss it. The staging is arrestingly imaginative and immaculately executed...’ - The Telegraph ‘The revival director, Benjamin Davis, and the music director, Lothar Koenigs, tenaciously stick to Jones’s template, with pacing and gestures quickly paced, sharply sculptured and darkly witty.’ - The Times ‘It is a staging that demands to be seen. This season, beans means Wozzeck’ - The Guardian ‘This production was Welsh National Opera’s first outing at their new home in Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre in 2005. Then, I thought the performance could hardly be bettered but it turns out that I was wrong: this revival brings both the music and the production’s message even more vividly to life... a tribute both to revival director Benjamin Davis and his singer - actors’ - Seen and Heard, UK Opera Review BIOGRAPHY As Opera Director: Il Tabarro, Suor Angelica, and Gianni Schicchi for Opera Zuid in the Netherlands; Al Gran Sole Carico d’Amore as associate director with Katie Mitchell for the Salzburg Festival; a mixed media staging of Britten’s song cycle Les Illuminations for Cardiff International Dance Festival with National Dance Company Wales; Il Tabarro and Star-Cross’d Lovers for Welsh National Opera community tours; movement director for Jephtha at Royal Danish Opera. As Revival Director of Richard Jones’ landmark, award-winning productions for Welsh National Opera: Hansel and Gretel, The Queen of Spades and Wozzeck. Further revival directing credits include Tosca and The Magic Flute for Welsh National Opera and stagings of Rigoletto, La Traviata, Carmen and Jephtha at Birmingham Symphony Hall. Currently directing second revival of The Magic Flute for Welsh National Opera, opening 24th September 2010 in Cardiff then touring the UK. Directing Hansel and Gretel for Portland Opera, Oregon, which premiers 5th November 2010 and will direct the new production of Cosi fan tutte for Welsh National Opera in 2011. Joined Welsh National Opera in 2001, as a staff director. Worked on over 25 productions for the company. Also worked as a staff director at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and Canadian Opera Company, Toronto. |