Britten: A Midsummer Night’s Dream ****
Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh Festival, 12th June 2017
Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an opera swathed in a sensual, yet sinister score, conjured from a tiny ensemble where Oberon’s fairy kingdom is evoked by glistening glockenspiel, celesta and harp, underpinned by slithering cello glissandi and malevolent double bass col legno stabs. Commissioned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Snape Maltings concert hall, Netia Jones’ new production taps into Britten’s silvery underworld in a staging dominated by video wizardry which is hypnotically beautiful, but comes at a price.
George Humphreys (Demetrius) and Eleanor Dennis (Helena)
© Hugo Glendinning
Read the full review on Bachtrack.