Writer in Residence to follow development of new Royal Opera production of Guillaume Tell

The backstage area of the old Paris Opera (Salle Le Peletier). Lithograph by unknown circa 1855

Over the next six months Sarah Hibberd, Associate Professor in the Department of Music at the University of Nottingham, will be joining The Royal Opera as Writer in Residence. She is the author of French Grand Opera and the Historical Imagination and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 3.

‘Taking Guillaume Tell as my focus’, Sarah says, ‘I shall be thinking about the characteristics of French ‘grand opera’: the large forces required, the historico-political topics, the demanding solo roles.

‘I want to ask questions over the next few months that will place these operas in context for viewers in the 21st century: How were the demands of grand opera handled in the nineteenth century? What did audiences particularly enjoy? What did they complain about?

‘Once rehearsals at The Royal Opera begin in May, I will be talking to the creative team and – as the production comes together – shifting my focus to these challenges in the context of a modern opera house, and the expectations of modern audiences. I look forward to discussing these ideas in the coming months – and to hearing your views too!’

Guillaume Tell runs 29 June–17 July 2015. General booking opens on 31 March. 
The production will be broadcast live to cinemas around the world on 5 July 2015. Find your nearest cinema.

The production is given with generous philanthropic support from Simon and Virginia Robertson, Hélène and Jean Peters and David Hancock.