Credit: Matt KentClassic Quadrophenia, the orchestral version of The Who‘s legendary 1973 rock opera Quadrophenia, begins a limited run of five U.S. performances Saturday at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. The production, which had its live debut in July 2015 at London’s Royal Albert Hall, is presented by Who lead guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend, and features him a supporting role.
Veteran punk-rocker Billy Idol also has a small part in the show, while the lead role of Jimmy is portrayed by popular British tenor Alfie Boe.
Townshend says that Boe’s more operatic approach to the vocals may be an adjustment for fans used to hearing these songs sung by Who frontman Roger Daltrey — but he says Boe’s performance is quite stirring and emotional.
“Do we think it’s wrong for rock music to be operatic? Is it wrong for it to be bombastic and masculine?” Townshend asks. “Certainly, when Alfie is finished with ‘Love Reign O’er Me,’ the audience gets on their feet and applauds. Y’know, at the Albert Hall, the applause went on for 22 minutes.”
In general, Pete says he’s “very, very proud of the music and…am happy to hear it performed.” The orchestrations were created by Townshend’s longtime romantic partner Rachel Fuller, with a bit of his own input.
The other Classic Quadrophenia performances are scheduled for September 9 and 10 in New York City, September 13 in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont and September 16 in Los Angeles. Each venue will feature a different orchestra and choir accompanying Boe, Townshned and Idol.
Pearl Jam‘s Eddie Vedder will join the cast at the Rosemont gig, which will raise money for the Teen Cancer America charity.
Here’s the full list of U.S. Classic Quadrophenia shows:
9/2 — Lenox, MA, Tanglewood
9/9 — New York, NY, Metropolitan Opera House
9/10 — New York, NY, Metropolitan Opera House
9/13 — Rosemont, IL, Rosemont Theatre
9/16 — Los Angeles, CA, The Greek Theatre
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