Tag Archives: Robert Carsen

Jolly hockey sticks! Orliński rules as Rinaldo at Glyndebourne

Handel: Rinaldo Glyndebourne, 8th August 2019 Rotten Romans, the first film inspired by Terry Deary’s Horrible Histories books which have brought the past alive for decades of schoolchildren, opened in cinemas a fortnight ago. If they ever decide to tackle … Continue reading

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Sir John in Love: the fat knight returns to Covent Garden

Verdi: Falstaff **** Royal Opera, 10th July 2018 There was an end of term feel about this revival of Falstaff at the Royal Opera, with many singers returning to a favourite role and imparting a spirited sense of fun. Robert Carsen’s production, shunting … Continue reading

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Hot ice and strange snow: an unseasonal return for Carsen’s bed-hopping Dream

Britten: A Midsummer Night’s Dream **** English National Opera, 1st March 2018 Heading to the Coliseum for A Midsummer Night’s Dream amid snow and ice is a disconcerting prospect – “hot ice and strange snow” indeed. Forget wild thyme blowing and substitute … Continue reading

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Stop all the clocks: Renée Fleming’s valedictory Marschallin at the Royal Opera

Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier **** The Royal Opera, 17th December 2016 Aware her teenage lover will inevitably leave her for a younger woman, the Marschallin muses that time trickles like sand through an hourglass, flowing ceaselessly. At night she stops all … Continue reading

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A second helping for Carsen’s delicious Falstaff at the Royal Opera

Verdi: Falstaff ***** Royal Opera, 6th July 2015 If “all the world’s a jest”, as Sir John Falstaff claims at the end of Verdi’s final operatic masterpiece, then we need players – and directors – with a sense of frivolity. … Continue reading

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