Year: 2022

Cherry Town Moscow from WNO Youth Opera

As the headlines in the news have inevitably stoked an anti-Russian sentiment which is at risk of extending from the political decision-makers to the Russian people who too are their victims – and as episodes of censorship suggesting the erasure of all things Russian-related have repeatedly been pointed out in recent month – it is…

A earthy La Boheme that throws away the chocolate box wrapping

Annabel Arden’s 2012 production of La Boheme, now revived by Welsh National Opera for the second offering of its 2022 autumn season, gives its audience a largely straightforward telling of the doomed love affair of Mimi and Rodolfo. The only real “take” on the work is setting the opera in the early 20th century, perhaps…

An ungimmicky and elegant The Makropolus Affair from Welsh National Opera

Welsh National Opera was a groundbreaker in bringing Janáček’s operas to UK audiences, thanks to remarkable musical and artistic leadership in its younger days. Now, the company is sensibly building on the specialism of its music director Tomáš Hanus to introduce the works to new audience members. Thus, a short cycle of revivals ending with…

Even the rain gods were charmed by Orphée at Vache Baroque

Vache Baroque Festival marked its third year with a theatrically entertaining production of Charpentier’s La descente d’Orphée aux enfers underpinned with fine musicianship and elegant singing. The predominantly, but not totally, young cast was both fresh and enthusiastic, with some particularly impressive singing for this rare performance of the delicate chamber opera. Music director and…

If Opera delights its audiences with blossoming talent in Belcombe Court’s gardens

The enthusiastic response by audiences to If Opera’s 2022 season has demonstrated there is clearly an appetite for this repertory ensemble approach by the ambitious rebranded company, formerly Iford Arts. Taking place in the grounds of Belcombe Court no doubt added to the overall enjoyment of the festival experience. But the hearty responses to the…

Figaro gets an update and twist at Waterperry Festival Opera

I am late to the party in only discovering what a wonderful experience opera (and dance) is at Waterperry Opera Festival, now enjoying its fifth season at the gorgeous Oxfordshire gardens that gives it its name. All the summer opera festivals have their own feel and what made Waterperry distinctive on this first visit was,…

Mansfield Park in an idyllic setting

Jonathan Dove and librettist Alasdair Middleton’s Mansfield Park has been presented in a plethora of performance spaces since first staged in 2011. However, it is difficult to image a more idyllic and ideal venue than the elegant ballroom of Waterperry House which becomes part of the holistic experience of this charming take on the Jane…

Mid Wales Opera announces Fairy Tale season

Mid Wales Opera are inviting audiences to join them in a Fairy Tale world of magic and myth with their new season launched at Gregynog Hall on Sunday. Launching their Fairy Tales season at the annual Friends of MWO Gala, Executive Director Lydia Bassett said, “Lots of people are struggling at the moment, and there’s…

A mesmerising Rusalka at Garsington Opera

Natalya Romaniw’s performance in Garsington Opera’s first production of Rusalka was delayed by Covid for two years. Then mid-run the Swansea-born soprano tested positive and Elin Pritchard jumped in and by all accounts gave the audience a much-enjoyed performance. By the start of July, Covid-free, the singer returned to the stage, and it was this…

One heck of a trip, Janáček’s The Excursions of Mr Brouček

Never shy from letting his imagination run riot on the opera stage, David Pountney and his design team have created a zany and witty production with plenty of contemporary references. It is a pity the Dominic Raab and Angela Rayner snob opera spat (wink and all) had not happened while the show was being put…