It’s competition time here on The Grand’s blog, with a fantastic opportunity to WIN thanks to Ellen Kent & Opera and Ballet International!

After she brought us the beautiful La Boheme in April, the award-winning producer Ellen Kent returns to The Grand this Autumn with stunning traditional productions of Puccini’s masterpiece, Madama Butterfly, (Opera of the Year Award – Liverpool Daily Post), Verdi’s La Traviata and Rigoletto designed by the renowned Ukrainian designer Nadia Shvets from the National Ukrainian opera of Kharkiv. They feature a host of international soloists from the national operas of Odessa, Spain and Rostov and the support of the National Philharmonic in Chisinau.

The Grand Theatre will have Madama Butterfly on Monday 3rd November and Rigoletto on Tuesday 4th November.

Puccini’s Madama Butterfly

Starring Korean soprano Elena Dee and Japanese Soprano Miki Mori. Back by overwhelming public demand, this award winning opera returns with exquisite sets and includes a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan.

Verdi’s Rigoletto

Starring Vladimir Dragos as Rigoletto and featuring a magnificent golden eagle and two royal greyhounds. A stunning traditional production recapturing the decadence of renaissance Italy with lavish sets and opulent costumes. The opera was almost banned because it exposed the licentious behavior of the powers-that-be at court, featuring two of the most celebrated tenor arias La Donna è Mobile and Questa o Quella. Please note some scenes contain nudity.

THE COMPETITION!

All great operas have a love story at their core and to celebrate Ellen Kent’s Autumn Tour, we are offering one lucky reader the opportunity to win a romantic two night break for two people in the French capital Paris – the city of love – courtesy of Ellen Kent and Opera & Ballet International.

The lucky winner will travel on the Eurostar from London to Paris, stay for 2 nights B&B in a beautiful 4 star hotel, and enjoy a romantic meal with their loved one plus a pair of tickets to an Ellen Kent Production at the venue of their choice on the Spring 2015 tour (full tour schedule at www.ellenkent.com).

3 readers will also WIN tickets to see the Ellen Kent’s production of Madama Butterfly at the Grand Theatre on Monday 3rd November.

To be in with a chance, to win the opera tickets and be entered into the grand prize draw on 9th December for the trip to Paris answer this simple question.

Where is La Traviata set?
a) London
b) Paris
c) Skegness

Important Information

• Send all entries to win@ellenkent.co.uk or post your answer to Opera & Ballet International, Broome Quarry House, Canterbury Rd, Kent, CT2 6QU.
• Please put your town of residence on your envelope or email subject line and include your name, address, email and contact number on all correspondence.
• Opera ticket closing date 31st October.
• Holiday competition closing date 8th December, 2014.
• Only 1 entry per person.
• Terms and conditions apply.
• Travel expenses to and from London and Paris Eurostar terminals are not included.
• Holiday must take place March-April 2015.
• Overall prize value: £750

For more information, production shots and interview requests please contact Sadie Williams at sadie@ellenkent.co.uk.

To book tickets for Madama Butterfly (Monday 3 November) and Rigoletto (Tuesday 4 November) visit our show pages!