Duration: 30 minutes

In this third podcast operalovers features an exciting new opera composed by Jonathan Dove 'The Adventures of Pinocchio'. Comissioned by Opera North it had the challenging remit of appealing to children yet remaining a full-length opera. They certainly took a big risk with this one - it's an epic undertaking with a large cast, a full chorus, dancers and acrobats plus a pit full to bursting with a wide variety of exotic instruments.

'The Adventures of Pinocchio' premiered in Leeds in December 2007 and we caught one of the performances at Sadlers Wells in February where we interviewed both composer Jonathan Dove and director Martin Duncan.

The impressive cast for the production was as follows:

Pinocchio            Victoria Simmonds

Geppetto            Jonathan Summers

The Blue Fairy     Mary Plazas

Cricket/Parrot      Rebecca Bottone

Puppeteer/Ape-Judge/Ringmaster      Graeme Broadbent Lampwick            Allan Clayton

Cat                    Mark Wilde

Fox/Coachman    James Laing

Pigeon/Snail       Carole Wilson

Composer          Jonathan Dove

Librettist            Alasdair Middleton

Conductor          David Parry

Director             Martin Duncan

Set and Costume Designer  Francis O'Connor

At the performance we spotted internationally renowned baritone Gerald Finley and his family. I went to interview him with his sons, Daniel (15) and Stephen (11) after a matinee performance of Eugene Onegin at the Royal Opera House to find out what they thought of Pinocchio. In addition, Gerald offered some fascinating insights into the challenges and joys of singing Russian opera.

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