Laurence Cummings
Il ritorno d’Ulisse, Garsington Opera at Wormsley
★★★★★ Il ritorno d’Ulisse is probably the hardest of Monteverdi’s trilogy to bring off on stage. First heard during Venice’s 1639–40 carnival season, Ulisse will be followed by L’incoronazione di Poppea at Garsington in 2028. Much of Ulisse‘s drama is internal, Penelope’s unbroken fidelity, Ulisse’s disorientation on returning to a home he barely recognises, and…
Academy of Ancient Music announces 2022/23 season: ‘Tis nature’s voice
Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) has unveiled plans for its 2022/23 season. The orchestra presents a year-long exploration of the environment and our place within it, entitled ‘Tis nature’s voice. The season includes performances at the Barbican, Milton Court Concert Hall, West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge and The Apex in Bury St Edmunds. Tues 4 Oct 2022…
An Arcadian idyll: Orfeo at Garsington Opera
One of the many delights of Garsington Opera is how the glass walls of the pavilion allow for the “action” to begin and continue beyond the actual stage and auditorium. Being set in the exquisite Wormsley Estate, itself an Arcadian idyll, this is wonderfully appropriate for the first act of John Caird’s charming production of…
Life’s a beach on Alcina’s love island
It is intriguing that a wave of Alcinas is hitting our opera houses. Opera North has dived in first with a pared down Handelian adventure for this Baroque menage or menagerie a cinq on the sorceress’ love island. Characters wonder on stage and wonder off again, usually after singing but not always, and there is…
Academy of Ancient Music’s season opens with Haydn’s The Creation
Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) opens its first season under new Music Director Laurence Cummings on Tuesday, September 28 with Haydn’s The Creation. Co-produced by the Barbican, the performance will include a visual narrative from projection designer Nina Dunn. The AAM choir and orchestra are joined by a solo cast including Mary Bevan, Stuart Jackson,…