Reviews
Natalya Romaniw in La Boheme, ENO
Revivals of Jonathan Miller stagings have been the staple over the past thirty years at ENO. In Miller’s clear-headed production, the 1930s take on tragic young love among Parisian students certainly did not lack any drama. There is much to admire in this revival. Alexander Joel leads an idiomatic performance from both singers and orchestra….
A Spanish Hour & Y Viva España, Mid Wales Opera, RWCM&D
One thing I’ve learned over the years: classical music has a fetish for Spanish music. This is frequently the case with French composer Maurice Ravel, who had Basque heritage. His undying love for his neighbouring company would be poured into a fair amount of his musical output, most famous being his ballet, Bolero. With L’heure…
Passion , Music Theatre Wales and NDCWales, Wales Millennium Centre
Passion was a very enigmatic production by NDC Wales in the way that the story was told to the audience. In this Michael McCarthy production, the stage was empty and dark, with the only design being a blue ladder leading up to the sky in the middle, and a long yellow curtain draped behind them,…
La Traviata, Welsh National Opera, Venue Cymru
Many regard Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviatato be one of the most famous and adored operas of all time, though with myself a true novice to opera it was interesting to attend this production by the Welsh National Opera with no prior knowledge or expectations of this opera. The first act had a clever opening which drew…
La Cenerentola, Welsh National Opera, Venue Cymru
I’ve been writing reviews on and off for 15 years – encompassing restaurant, theatre, cinema and music reviews – but I’ve never reviewed opera or ballet. La Cenerentola, Rossini’s take on the tale of Cinderella, was a perfect opera for me to start with. Angelina lives with her step father Don Magnfico and step sisters…
Rhondda Rips it Up!, Welsh National Opera, Pontio, Bangor
A riotous romp through the life of pivotal Suffragette Lady Rhondda Margaret Haig Thomas (played by Madeleine Shaw) is what was promised by Welsh National Opera, and indeed it was what was delivered too in their latest musical-opera Rhondda Rips it Up. The buzz in Pontio’s packed Theatr Bryn Terfel was enchanting as the all-female…
La Cenerentola, Rossini, Welsh National Opera
My second visit to the opera and what a wonderful evening. From the moment the orchestra under WNO Music Director Tomas Hanus played thefirst note, the pace and light hearted atmosphere was established. As the delicate organza curtain lifted, the oversized set added to the childhood memories of ‘Cinderella’ as a magical fairy tale. The…
La Traviata, Welsh National Opera, WMC
Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata is possibly one of the most famous operas of all times, containing a number of equally famous arias that would be easily recognisable even to the ear of the layman. This poses an additional challenge to the cast, called to match a degree of expectation from the audience that is likely…
War and Peace, Prokofiev, Welsh National Opera, Wales Millennium Centre
Welsh National Opera chose to open its Autumn season with what many may deem an odd choice: Sergei Prokofiev’s adaptation of War and Peace. In many ways a late opera, if not a post-opera, this monumental work was written in the last of the golden years of opera, and subverts many of the rules of…
Chamber Philharmonia Cologne, Llandaff Cathedral
The Chamber Philharmonia Cologne open the Welsh leg of their seemingly never ending touring schedule at Llandaff Cathedral with a concert comprising virtuosic playing of Vivaldi, Mozart, JS Bach, Rossini and a show stopping Paganini. With solo clarinetist Senne Coomans and Cello soloist Christoph M. Jahn, the programme included much loved favourites but also works…