Monthly Archives: September 2017

Billowing silk and blue hair: Phelim McDermott creates an evocative Aida for ENO

Verdi: Aida **** English National Opera, 28th September 2017 Instead of posters for English National Opera’s new staging of Aida depicting a steep shaft of light over a lone soprano, they could easily have screamed Akhnaten II: Return of the Tomb Raider. Phelim McDermott envisages … Continue reading

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Pulsating and poetic: Akram Khan’s terrific Giselle returns to Sadler’s Wells

Giselle ***** English National Ballet, Sadler’s Wells, 20th September 2017 Giselle’s tale of love, betrayal and redemption has been entrancing audiences since 1841, but in Akram Khan’s version for English National Ballet, now receiving a pulsating first revival at Sadler’s Wells, Marius … Continue reading

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Rattle leads the LSO on a thrilling ride into the abyss

Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust **** Barbican Hall, 19th September 2017 “Diff! Diff! Belzébuth, Belphégor, Astaroth, Méphisto!” Once the hissing demons had greeted Méphistophélès, Faust’s soul successfully delivered after their Ride into the Abyss, calm was restored to the Barbican … Continue reading

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Roderick Williams’ charming birdcatcher leads a spirited revival of The Magic Flute at Covent Garden

Mozart: Die Zauberflöte **** The Royal Opera, 14th September 2017 What do you seek from The Magic Flute? Truth? Enlightenment? Birdcatcher Papageno confesses he’s not really looking for wisdom. Sleep, food, drink – and possibly a wife – is all he’s … Continue reading

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No moonlight, no magic: Richard Jones directs a vanilla Bohème for the Royal Opera

Puccini: La bohème *** The Royal Opera, 11th September 2017 New productions of La bohème don’t come around that often at the Royal Opera. John Copley’s venerable staging lasted for 43 years and the one before that – Peter Brook … Continue reading

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