Tag Archives: Chorus of the Royal Opera House

A final outing for the Royal Opera’s lavish but fusty Tales of Hoffmann

Offenbach: Les Contes d’Hoffmann *** Royal Opera, 7th November 2016 When an enormous black gondola creaks and shudders its way across the stage in the “Giulietta” act of the Royal Opera’s The Tales of Hoffmann, it acts as a metaphor … Continue reading

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Burning like fire: Sonya Yoncheva’s Norma scorches Covent Garden

Bellini: Norma **** Royal Opera, 12th September 2016 “Well, I think my Norma is something in between Maria Callas and Cecilia Bartoli.”Sonya Yoncheva, stepping into the title role at Covent Garden when Anna Netrebko decided Norma wasn’t for her after … Continue reading

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Return to the crime scene: fresh blood improves Royal Opera’s Lucia di Lammermoor

Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor **** Royal Opera, 11th May 2016 Double casts are a mixed blessing. When they play side by side, there’s a temptation to indulge in ‘fantasy casting’, mixing and matching your ideal team from those available. But … Continue reading

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Downhill from Venusberg: a bland Tannhäuser revived at Covent Garden

Wagner: Tannhäuser *** The Royal Opera, 26th April 2016 At the heart of Tannhäuser is the hero’s struggle between spirituality and sensuality. Tim Albery’s 2010 production, receiving its first revival at Covent Garden, establishes this conflict within a stylish opening … Continue reading

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Flawed and floored: Katie Mitchell delivers a powerful Lucia at Covent Garden

Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor *** The Royal Opera, 7th April 2016 The warning signs were there. Patrons had received the email warning of graphic scenes of sex and violence. Katie Mitchell herself said at a Friends’ Insight evening that “I … Continue reading

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