Tag Archives: English National Opera

Sumptuously designed, but is this Rigoletto a ‘keeper’?

Verdi: Rigoletto *** English National Opera, 13th February 2014 The final revival in 2009 of Jonathan Miller’s Little Italy mafioso production of Rigoletto, a classic at English National Opera since it opened in 1982, was my first Opera Britannia review. … Continue reading

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ENO’s new Magic Flute mixes high-tech with simple stagecraft

Mozart: The Magic Flute **** English National Opera, 7th November 2013 For all the risk-taking in the operatic world, productions which are guaranteed bums-on-seats bankers are like Nibelung gold. To scrap not one but two such productions is a brave … Continue reading

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It’s curtains for Violetta: Corinne Winters triumphs in Konwitschny’s stripped-down Traviata

Verdi: La traviata ***** English National Opera, 2nd February 2013 Red curtains peel apart tentatively to reveal a chair… and another set of red curtains. And that, in essence (save for a stack of books) is it for the set … Continue reading

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Pulling the strings: ENO’s widescreen Butterfly

Puccini: Madam Butterfly *** English National Opera, 8th May 2012 Madam Butterfly is one of two operas virtually guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes of this traditionally stony-hearted critic (The Cunning Little Vixen is the other, should you be interested, so … Continue reading

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Miller’s ‘mafioso’ Rigoletto still powerfully persuasive

Verdi: Rigoletto**** English National Opera, 21st September 2009 Jonathan Miller’s mafioso take on Verdi’s Rigoletto premiered at English National Opera in 1982, since when it’s become a company stalwart. This is its twelfth revival and the powers that be obviously … Continue reading

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