Leading British opera composer Judith Weir transposes the Sicilian folktale Misfortune to today as the daughter of a rich family turns her back on wealth to make her own way in the world – too often with unfortunate results.

Not many operas combine great music with breakdancing and a burning kebab van, but Miss Fortune does all this and more under the direction of Chen Shi-Zheng (his spectacular staging of Monkey: Journey to the West was presented at the Royal Opera House in 2008).

This new, approachable and engaging opera had its premiere at the Bregenz Festival in summer 2011 and now comes to the Royal Opera stage with the same acclaimed cast – Emma Bell sings the title role and former Jette Parker Young Artist singer Jacques Imbrailo plays her eventual love Simon. Paul Daniel conducts this effective and atmospheric score in a visually beautiful and inventive production whose story is funny, touching, moral and contemporary.

Miss Fortune continues the series of high-profile new works of recent years that have included Anna Nicole, The Tempest and The Minotaur. With the added impact of the world-class Royal Opera Chorus Judith Weir’s Miss Fortune is a highlight of this Royal Opera Season.