Year: 2019
The Cunning Little Vixen , Welsh National Opera, WMC
This revived production of Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen is another triumph for WNO. Born in Moravia in 1854 it was only in 1924 that Janáček first staged his opera. Inspired by the illustrated tales of ‘Vixen Sharp-Ears’ the opera tells the story of the life and death of the Vixen, captured by the Forester…
Rigoletto, Welsh National Opera, Wales Millennium Centre
This production of Verdi’s Rigoletto is a winning return to form for WNO. The story of the jester Rigoletto’s attempted revenge on his master the Duke for the seduction of his daughter Gilda, the action is transposed to Washington DC in the sixties, evoked by the costumes and design, such as Gilda’s hairband and bobby…
Un ballo in maschera, Welsh National Opera, Venue Cymru
My opera education continues in the capable hands of Welsh National Opera with Guiseppe Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera, only my third WNO production. Riccardo (Gwyn Hughes Jones) is a leader who has stepped on too many toes, collecting a few enemies hell bent on revenge for the wrongs they feel he has done…
The Magic Flute, Welsh National Opera, Venue Cymru
With an opening scene of a lobster-like creature bursting through the set’s doors, I knew from the start of Welsh National Opera’s rendition of Mozart’s The Magic Flute that I was in for a very different experience of opera. As quite the novice to opera, I went into this performance blind, so was intrigued to…
The Magic Flute , WNO, Wales Millennium Centre
Mozart’s most famous opera was once again brought on stage, but this time WNO managed to add in some delightful new ideas. Under the baton of Damian Iorio, the music was of extremely high quality. The loving couple of Tamino and Pamina were sung by Ben Johnson and Anita Watson. They both rendered their…