Tag Archives: Bryan Hymel

Carmen minus charisma: a limp revival of Kosky’s production at Covent Garden

Posted on June 25, 2019 by Mark Pullinger

Bizet: Carmen Royal Opera, 24th June 2019 Barrie Kosky’s Carmen is back, so grab the pedometer. “Who needs cardio classes?” tweeted the Royal Opera Chorus wryly after Saturday’s matinee. Kosky strips almost all sense of Spain from the setting and … Continue reading →

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Elena Zilio leads the verismo thrills as Cav & Pag return

Posted on January 7, 2018 by Mark Pullinger

Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana; Leoncavallo: Pagliacci **** Royal Opera, 6th January 2018 Twelfth Night: the decorations are down, the tree has been turfed out onto the street and Easter eggs are already in the shops. Festivities are over for another year, … Continue reading →

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Herheim’s lavish Vêpres siciliennes returns to Covent Garden in triumphant style

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Mark Pullinger

Verdi: Les Vêpres siciliennes **** The Royal Opera, 12th October 2017 A mural depicting Etna erupting is the only hint of Sicily in Stefan Herheim’s opulent staging of Les Vêpres siciliennes, returning to Covent Garden for the first time since the Verdi … Continue reading →

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Rattle leads the LSO on a thrilling ride into the abyss

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Mark Pullinger

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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Royal Opera’s Don Carlo revival fails to ignite

Posted on May 13, 2017 by Mark Pullinger

Verdi: Don Carlo *** Royal Opera, Covent Garden, 12th May 2017 “What a day, what a day for an auto-da-fé” sings the chorus in Bernstein’s Candide, “It’s a lovely day for drinking and for watching people fry!” The Royal Opera … Continue reading →

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