The Return of Ulysses

ENO and the Young Vic continue their South Bank Show Award-winning partnership with a new production of Monteverdi's epic opera, by internationally lauded director Benedict Andrews (A Streetcar Named Desire, Berlin Schaubhne; War of the Roses, Sydney Theatre Company).

The Return of Ulysses is based on the final section of Homer's Odyssey. It was composed in 1640 by Monteverdi, who is regarded as the inventor of opera as we know it.

Ulysses returns home to Ithaca after his long journey back from the Trojan Wars to find villainous suitors have plundered his home and seized his wife, Queen Penelope. Aided by the Gods, his son Telemachus and faithful friend Eumaeus, he must overcome the suitors and recover his kingdom.

The cast includes opera stars Tom Randle as Ulysses and Pamela Helen Stephen as Penelope.