Tag Archives: English National Opera

Shore’s Bartolo shines in a Barber as frothy as Figaro’s shaving foam at ENO

Rossini: The Barber of Seville *** English National Opera, 28th September 2015 Rossini may well have penned The Barber of Seville in just under three weeks, but few comic operas stand the test of time so well. The plot surrounding the … 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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An atmosphere filled with dust and testosterone: Bieito’s Carmen returns to ENO

Bizet: Carmen *** English National Opera, 20th May 2015 Calixto Bieito’s Carmen is far removed from sun-drenched, picture postcard Seville. A bull and flamenco dresses make appearances, but these are nothing but illusions: the giant Osborne sherry company bull that looms … Continue reading

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That sinking feeling: ENO’s Pirates of Penzance scuppered at the Coliseum

Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance ** English National Opera, 9th May 2015 In many ways, it seemed a natural choice. Mike Leigh has long been a champion of Gilbert and Sullivan, his love for the Savoy Operas epitomised in his … Continue reading

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La traviata: Lightning fails to strike twice in ENO revival of Konwitschny’s production

Verdi: La traviata *** English National Opera, 9th February 2015 “È strano!” – “How curious!” – murmurs Violetta in the last moments of La traviata, on the sudden absence of pain before her final death throes. Two years ago, when this … Continue reading

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