Following a critically acclaimed seven-date run last year at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, today Billy Corgan, the frontman of the two-time Grammy Award-winning iconic rock band THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, announces a European tour for September of “A Night Of Mellon Collie And Infinite Sadness Featuring Billy Corgan.” Composed by and featuring performances by Billy himself alongside world-class soloists and orchestras,“A Night Of Mellon Collie And Infinite Sadness Featuring Billy Corgan” is a one-of-a-kind operatic and orchestral rendering of the album “Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness.” The opera re-imagines and pays homage to the era-defining album of the same name, whilst also expanding the definition and intention of opera.
On its first premiere in Chicago, Billboard labelled the shows “a symphonic and operatic reimagining of the band’s 1995 double album,” with Blabbermouth noting it as “one of the can’t-miss cultural collaborations of the season” and the Chicago Tribune saw \u201Noshortage of curiosity and surprise…(they) reinforced Corgan’s unofficial status as the biggest romantic of his generation.” Highlights included Billy’s yearning rendition of “1979” and the tear-jerking version of “Tonight, Tonight” by the orchestra.
Composed by Billy alongside Grammy-nominated conductor James Lowe, the shows will also feature vocals from Ed Parks (baritone; London, Belgium and France), Sydney Mancasola (soprano), Zoie Reams (mezzo-soprano), Dominick Valdes Chenes (tenor) and Dean Murphy (baritone; Spain only).
The costumes have also been designed by House Of Gilles by Gilles Mendel and Chloé Mendel Corgan.
Blurring the boundaries of opera, rock and performance art, the performances are truly a fully immersive sonic and visual experience.
Billy Corgan says:“The success of translating “Mellon Collie” into operatic and classical form has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my life, where on each of the seven sold-out nights in Chicago we’d finish within the raucous wave of a standing ovation.
So to now take it on the road, and to Europe, too says this magical dream doesn’t have to end.”C Conductor James Lowe says:“T has been so gratifying to discover how the nuances and layers of “Mellon Collie” reveal themselves in fresh new ways in these symphonic, choral and operatic settings.
To now have the opportunity to perform this work in Europe with world-class musicians in such important venues is nothing short of thrilling.”C The tour includes dates at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elisabeth Hall in Antwerp, Salle Pleye in Paris and Palacio Vistalegre in Madrid.
Tickets go on pre-sale on Tuesday, May 12 at 10:00 a.m BST, with tickets for the Antwerp and Paris shows going on general sale on May 13 at 10:00 a.m CET and tickets for the London and Madrid shows going on general sale on May 14 at 10:00 a.m BST.