Guildhall School presents 'The Tale of Januarie'

The Tale of Januarie is the first opera to be written in Chaucer's Middle English and its librettist, Stephen Plaice, does justice to Chaucer's lustful story. The film will have its world premiere at Guildhall School of Music and Drama from February 27 to March 6.

According to The Guardian, the place fills in the gaps where the original text only gave hints and captured in the immortal line that has thrilled schoolboys for a long time. The story shows Chaucer's pessimistic outlook on marriage more clearly when Januarie died believing that he fathered the unborn child of his wife.

According to Guildhall School, the Tale of Januarie is based on Chaucer's 14th-century story The Merchant's Tale. The Tale of Januarie is about a wealthy knight, Januarie, who has reached an old age decided to have a wife, May, but because he chooses poorly he will suffer the consequences of his actions.

His servant Damian and his young wife May must find a way to express their lustful passion despite Januarie's controlling nature. To enhance its authenticity and heighten the comedy the opera is sung in Middle English. The singers are from the Guildhall School's Opera Course. 

The actor John Findon portrayal of Januarie is excellent, bravely offering himself for mockery but also reminding us that of all the characters in the story it's him that the one who deserves empathy. The composer will be Julian Philips and the music achieves the embodiment of every facet of the text.

The conductor is the school's Head of Opera Dominic Wheeler who injects the extra punch into the music. The director is Martin Lloyd-Evans whose cartoonish design highlights Chaucer's brand of mockery, the designer is Dick Bird and the lighting designer is Mark Jonathan.

Priority booking for Guildhall Members. Prices for their tickets is £25 and available at the Barbican Box Office.

TagsThe Tale of Januarie, The Tale of Januarie News Update, Chaucer's Middle English, Stephen Plaice, The Merchant's Tale, Guildhall School's Opera Course, John Findon