The Notes Session, Episode 3: Fantasy Football, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

It’s draft day. Welcome to the league.

Neither of us has ever played fantasy football, but we’re pretty sure this is how it works. In our new series, we draft a dream production of an opera we love: cast, conductor, director, designers and venue. First up is Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which we think might be the best operatic setting of Shakespeare. It has fifteen principal roles across three worlds: the fairies, the Athenians, and the Mechanicals.

Here are the rules: no casting ourselves or anyone we’ve sung this opera with. Living artists only, but legends get their own episodes. We’re after debuts we’re dying to hear, and every pick is a compliment.

Thanks to Isla Mundell-Perkins, Director of Artistic Administration at Festival d'Aix-en-Provence and Casting Consulting for Malmö Opera, whose dream-casting habit inspired this segment.

The episode also has a time-traveling children’s quartet and a shout-out to Robert Carsen’s iconic production of this show.

There are way more great singers than roles. If someone you love isn’t here, it’s not a snub. So, send us your draft: the blank board is in our Instagram stories at @thenotessession. Tap "Add Yours" and tag us.