Tag Archives: English National Opera

Slow to ignite: tepid revival of Bizet’s Pearl Fishers at ENO

Bizet: Les Pêcheurs de perles *** English National Opera, 19th October 2016 After Zurga torches his village so he can rescue the lovers Nadir and Leïla from their death sentences during the ensuing panic, billowing “smoke” filled the Coliseum stage so … Continue reading

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Flawed casting in Minghella’s widescreen Butterfly at ENO

Puccini: Madama Butterfly *** English National Opera, 16th May 2016 Anthony Minghella’s 2005 staging of Madam Butterfly remains a hit with ENO’s audience. A combination of Japanese lacquer and Hollywood gloss make for a stylish production, opulently costumed by Han … Continue reading

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Jonathan Miller’s stylish, spirited Mikado revived once again at ENO

Sullivan: The Mikado *** ENO, 21st November 2015 “I am an acquired taste – only the educated palate can appreciate me,” Katisha explains to Ko-Ko towards the end of The Mikado, just after the Lord High Executioner has declared his … Continue reading

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Barbed wire and gruel: cold comfort in ENO’s Force of Destiny

Verdi: La forza del destino *** English National Opera, 9th November 2015 “A co-production with Metropolitan Opera”: five words which probably explain why Calixto Bieito’s new production of Verdi’s The Force of Destiny for English National Opera is – for … Continue reading

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A heroine on heroin: ENO’s cold Bohème lacks heart

Puccini: La bohème ** English National Opera, 16th October 2015 Did anyone hear sobbing? La bohème is one of the great operatic tear-jerkers, yet Benedict Andrews’ new production for English National Opera, previously seen in Amsterdam, left me dry-eyed. Judging by the … Continue reading

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