Category Archives: Opera

April’s first kiss: Susana Gaspar’s Mimì shines in a frustrating Bohème

Puccini: La bohème ** Grange Park Opera, 14th June 2015 La bohème: a classic of the operatic repertory. Many will recall with fondness a certain production or treasure a particular Rodolfo/ Mimì pairing. The challenge for any company presenting a new … Continue reading

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McVicar’s stylish Entführung emerges as a strong moral tale at Glyndebourne

Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail **** Glyndebourne, 13th June 2015 “Too many notes, Herr Mozart,” was Emperor Joseph II’s response to the composer’s new Singspiel Die Entführung aus dem Serail. I feared “Too many words, Sir David,” would be my response … Continue reading

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Taking wing: Dove’s Flight a soaring success for Opera Holland Park

Dove: Flight ***** Opera Holland Park, 10th June 2015 Flight represents a brave new departure for Opera Holland Park. Jonathan Dove’s tale of airport life, which first took to the skies at Glyndebourne in 1998, is the first contemporary opera … Continue reading

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Carte blanche: A muddled Queen of Spades from David Alden at ENO

Tchaikovsky: The Queen of Spades *** English National Opera, 6th June 2015 “What if there is no secret? And all this is but the vain delirium of my sick spirit?” Hermann’s lines as he steals into the Countess’ bedroom give … Continue reading

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Wedding chaos, deception and duplicity in Garsington’s Così fan tutte

Mozart: Così fan tutte **** Garsington Opera, 5th June 2015 Weddings bring out the cynic in me. They also bring out the cynic in Don Alfonso and it’s at a wedding breakfast that John Fulljames sets his production of Così fan tutte, … Continue reading

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