Britten: A Midsummer Night’s Dream *****
Glyndebourne, 11th August 2016
“Out of this wood do not desire to go!” Tytania orders Bottom. Glyndebourne’s revival of Peter Hall’s classic production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is eerily enchanting, weaving its spell right from the queasy cello and double bass glissandos, which slither into Britten’s score. In John Bury’s designs, the wood is shrouded by night, shafts of dappled light illuminating the black lacquered floor. Boughs creak, leaves rustle and you eventually realise the whole forest is living and breathing, populated by human trees and bushes swaying and sliding into position. I simply had no desire to leave.
Matthew Rose (Bottom), Tim Mead (Oberon) and David Evans (Puck)
© Robert Workman
Read the full review on Bachtrack.