Michael Bennett can't wait to perform in a new opera at Durham's Gala Theatre, he tells Gavin Engelbrecht

TENOR Michael Bennett has enjoyed a glittering international career since completing his music degree in the North-East 15 years ago. Among the many illustrious boardwalks he has trod have been at the Concertgebouw, in Amsterdam, and at London's Royal Opera House, not to mention a series of appearances at premier arts festivals.

But it is with barely contained excitement that he is looking forward to coming to Durham's Gala Theatre, for his "homecoming" performance on Monday.

Michael, who takes the lead role in the premiere tour of Param Vir's opera, Ion, says: "It will be a very special to perform in Durham's Gala Theatre. I never even knew it had been built. It is going to be quite exciting to see something that was missing when I was studying at Durham University. We only had the Assembly Rooms and students' union as venues for performances." Speaking about his latest role, Michael says: "I think it is a very accessible piece. Audiences can sometimes be put off at the thought of contemporary opera, but in this case, the story is very easy to relate to. It is not complicated, but very emotional."

The classical tragedy, presented by Music Theatre Wales, is a translation by David Lan of Euripides' play from 500BC, reflecting the timeless universal emotions of family and social pressures.

Set in the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, the epic drama follows two main characters - Ion, a young man who does not know his parents and longs to know about his background, and Creusa, a mother who abandoned her child at birth and is desperate to discover what has happened to him. They are familiar themes of modern day life: abandoned children, infertility, gender injustices and crimes of passion.

Michael, 37, who appears alongside the soprano Rita Cullis, adds: "The music, as well, is something which speaks to the audience. "Param Vir writes very lyrical music. He has his very own, distinct voice. He enjoys writing for singers and his work is very vocal. This is possibly one of the largest roles I have done. It is quite high-ish in the voice and that is quite demanding."

He explains: "The role I play is of a young boy of around 20. A quite straightforward person who has a simplicity about him, which is a very attractive quality.

"Obviously, I am older, and the biggest challenge is to convey the spirit of youth. You have to find that energy and enthusiasm that he has. I found that to be daunting."

During his time at Durham, Michael sang at Durham Cathedral and attended the Royal Northern College of Music, in Manchester.

In 1998, he sang the Madwoman in Britten's Curlew River for the Aix-en-Provence Festival, as well as at performances in France, Vienna, and Brussels. Michael regularly performs contemporary music, singing works by composers such as Ahmed Essyad, Phillipe Fenelon, Guo Wenjing, Peter Maxwell Davies, and Param Vir.

Earlier this year, he sang the title role in the world premiere of the opera Alex Brucke Langer, by Giovanni Verrando, in Bolzano. Future performances include the role of Demo in Il Giasone by Cavalli for Klagenfurt Opera. As for the Gala, Michael says: "I hope that by bringing such a high profile production to the Gala, it will raise the theatre's profile and attract more people to a special place they now have.

"I hope too, that this performance will help stimulate interest and encourage people to broaden their own horizons and not be afraid to be surprised, to take the plunge."

* Param Vir's Ion is at 7.30pm on Monday. Tickets, priced at £12.50, are available from the box office on 0191-332 4041.

Published: 25/10/2003