Tag Archives: Yuriy Yurchuk

Broken wings: Ermonela Jaho a devastating Madama Butterfly at Covent Garden

Puccini: Madama Butterfly **** The Royal Opera, 27th March 2017 Ermonela Jaho sure likes to put herself (and us) through the emotional wringer on Covent Garden’s stage. Her characters usually meet with a sticky end: Violetta and Mimì both succumb … Continue reading

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A final outing for the Royal Opera’s lavish but fusty Tales of Hoffmann

Offenbach: Les Contes d’Hoffmann *** Royal Opera, 7th November 2016 When an enormous black gondola creaks and shudders its way across the stage in the “Giulietta” act of the Royal Opera’s The Tales of Hoffmann, it acts as a metaphor … Continue reading

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Bright singing, grim staging: the JPYA Summer Performance at Covent Garden

Jette Parker Young Artists’ Gala *** Royal Opera House, 17th July 2016 During the course of a season, the Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Young Artists participate in many full productions, mainly in comprimario roles, developing their craft, gaining main stage experience, learning … Continue reading

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Firing blanks: a disappointing Tosca at Covent Garden

Puccini: Tosca ** The Royal Opera, 11th January 2016 Nothing sweeps away the Christmas excess of multiple Nutcrackers like the biting chords denoting the villainous Baron Scarpia at the start of Tosca. I have a sneaking fondness for Puccini’s ‘shabby … Continue reading

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Betrothal and Betrayal in JPYA’s end of term performance at the Royal Opera

Jette Parker Young Artists’ Summer Performance *** Royal Opera House, 18th July 2015 School’s out for summer and with it the opportunity for the Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Young Artists to showcase their talents in the end of term main … Continue reading

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