1996 Carmen    Bizet

1997 La Traviata    Verdi

1998 L'Elisir d'amore    Donizetti

1999 Faust    Gounod

2000 The Bartered Bride    Smetana

2001 Eugene Onegin    Tchaikovsky

Carmen (Concert Version)    Bizet

2002 Orpheus and Eurydice   Gluck

2003 Magic Flute    Mozart

2004 Die Fledermaus    Strauss

2005 Macbeth    Verdi

2006 Tales of Hoffmann    Offenbach

2007 Gala Evening    various

2008 Nabucco   Verdi

Biblical tale is simply stunning 

The biblical tale of King Nabucco and his persecution of the Hebrews makes for a stunning show by Opera 74.

Nabucco, in his arrogance, declares himself a God. He is struck down by an angry Almighty but this only paves the way for his scheming daughter, Abigaille, to steal the crown.

Meanwhile, Nabucco's other daughter, Fenena, falls in love with the Hebrew Prince Ismaele and converts to Judaism. However, with Abigaille determined to stamp out the Hebrew race, their love seems doomed.

Jane Evans is excellent as the evil Abigaille, prowling the stage with menace and demonstrating an impressive vocal ability, particularly in Act Two where she finds that her lineage is not quite as royal as she thought.

George Hulbert is by turns ferocious and pathetic as Nabucco himself, whose redemption makes a stark contrast to Abigaille's wickedness.

In supporting roles, Jane Hyde is strong as Fenena and Chris Dodd plays Ismaele as stoic and determined.

The orchestra and chorus combine to produce an impressive effect particularly during the famous Fly, Thought, on Golden Wings. 

Kat Dibbits (The Bolton News, Thursday, September 25, 2008)