La Calisto | English Touring Opera, UK Tour, 2016
Francesco Cavalli’s 1651 Baroque opera toured the UK with English Touring Opera in autumn 2016, including performances at Hackney Empire. Directed and conducted by Timothy Nelson with designs by takis, this production brought Cavalli’s mythological comedy—based on the story of Callisto from Ovid’s Metamorphoses—to regional audiences in English with captions.
takis’ design created the fantastical world of gods, nymphs, and mortals where Jupiter pursues the chaste Calisto, leading to transformations, disguises, and comic complications. The production featured Paula Sides as Calisto, George Humphreys as Jupiter, and Katie Bray as the scene-stealing goat-boy Satirino. The baroque orchestra and Timothy Nelson’s direction balanced the opera’s mythological extravagance with its satirical edge.
La Calisto represents Baroque opera’s blend of spectacle, comedy, and vocal virtuosity. This ETO production demonstrated how 17th-century opera can achieve contemporary relevance through spirited direction and accessible staging, earning 4-5 star reviews.
Creative Team: Director/Conductor: Timothy Nelson | Designer: takis | Composer: Francesco Cavalli