Henry Waddington
Elegant Bellini at West Green House Opera
**** While musicianship and artistry remain the most essential elements of any opera experience, the importance of ambiance and the pleasure of the venue cannot be denied. West Green House Opera combines superb performances by both young and seasoned singers, a commitment to musical excellence from its players, and an idyllic setting in a Hampshire…
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…
A sunny seaside Cosi fan tutte at Garsington Opera
I am not certain I understood the closing of John Cox’s 2004 staging of Cosi fan tutte, revived with a splendid cast at Garsington Opera this season, as the two “soldiers” leave their lovers and head off to war. Have they decided that women really are all the same and they are better off with…