Tag Archives: David McVicar

Great Britten: Death in Venice returns to Covent Garden in superb new staging

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Mark Pullinger

Britten: Death in Venice Royal Opera, 21st November 2019 “Britten doesn’t sell.” Until Deborah Warner’s impressive production of Billy Budd last April, The Royal Opera hadn’t put any Britten on the main stage since Richard Jones’ (admittedly naff) Gloriana in … Continue reading →

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Roberto Alagna brings up his century at The Royal Opera in Andrea Chénier revival

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Mark Pullinger

Giordano: Andrea Chénier Royal Opera, 20th May 2019 In cricketing terms, Roberto Alagna would be raising his bat triumphantly towards the Covent Garden pavilion. This opening night of Andrea Chénier chalked up the French-Sicilian tenor’s century, his hundredth performance with … Continue reading →

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Faust finds salvation thanks to jump-in soprano at The Royal Opera

Posted on April 12, 2019 by Mark Pullinger

Gounod: Faust Royal Opera, 11th April 2019 Mandy Fredrich’s plane from Hanover landed at London City Airport two hours before curtain up. The German soprano should have been heading to Bonn, preparing for a jump-in as Fifth Maid in Theater … Continue reading →

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McVicar’s Traviata is still darkly impressive

Posted on November 24, 2018 by Mark Pullinger

Verdi: La traviata *** Welsh National Opera, Southampton, 23rd November 2018 “I loathe Traviata!” declared David McVicar back in 2003, ahead of his stage production of Camille at the Lyric, Hammersmith. “I could never do such a coarse, clumsy reduction of this woman.” Perhaps this … Continue reading →

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Carry on Cleo: Joélle Harvey leads terrific revival of Giulio Cesare at Glyndebourne

Posted on June 11, 2018 by Mark Pullinger

Handel: Giulio Cesare in Egitto **** Glyndebourne, 10th June 2018 It’s back. Sir David McVicar’s ridiculously entertaining romp through Handel’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto returns to Glyndebourne. Unveiled at the 2005 festival, where it made a star of Danielle de Niese (then Cleopatra, now châtelaine), … Continue reading →

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