3:12 AM
There are a variety of offerings from the opera world this week, from grand opera on a small scale to Victorian melodrama to a neglected 20th century gem.
In his opera review of 'The Passenger' by the English National Opera, David Nice was full of praise for all involved. Polish-born Mieczyslaw Weinberg, Polish novelist Zofia Posmysz and the production team itself were all excellent. The strength of the performances carry the production with Michelle Breedt in particularly standing out with Nice claiming her voice was the finest he had ever heard at ENO.
Stephan Walsh settled down to watch Mid Wales Opera's production of Puccini's 'Madam Butterfly' at The Roses Theatre, Tewksbury. The production exemplified both the pluses and the minuses of opera delivered by small touring companies such as this one. This grand opera lends itself well to the limitations that come with it with its need for just one set among other things. The production easily overcomes the staging difficulties it's faced with to achieve a nuanced and moving piece.
Gounod's Victorian melodrama 'Faust' at the Royal Opera House had Igor Toronyi-Lalic unexpectedly moved to tears. The staging and theatricals were kept wonderfully simple by David McVicar, which added to the success of the production as it retained maximum potency.
Vittorio Grigolo plays the ageing Faust, Ren Pap is the dark devious Mephistopheles and Dmitri Hvorostovsky's plays the silky Valentin as the three exciting male leads enliven the first two acts. The production is set in the French Second Empire and Toronyi-Lalic was so impressed with Grigolo, he thought he even outshone the pitch-perfect Angela Gheorghiu as Marguerite who unusually floundered slightly here.
Conductor Evelino Pid made the audience feel they were watching a Moulin Rouge cabaret. Together, the team raised this piece from the realms of soap opera into something with significant depth and thought.
In his opera review of 'The Passenger' by the English National Opera, David Nice was full of praise for all involved. Polish-born Mieczyslaw Weinberg, Polish novelist Zofia Posmysz and the production team itself were all excellent. The strength of the performances carry the production with Michelle Breedt in particularly standing out with Nice claiming her voice was the finest he had ever heard at ENO.
Stephan Walsh settled down to watch Mid Wales Opera's production of Puccini's 'Madam Butterfly' at The Roses Theatre, Tewksbury. The production exemplified both the pluses and the minuses of opera delivered by small touring companies such as this one. This grand opera lends itself well to the limitations that come with it with its need for just one set among other things. The production easily overcomes the staging difficulties it's faced with to achieve a nuanced and moving piece.
Gounod's Victorian melodrama 'Faust' at the Royal Opera House had Igor Toronyi-Lalic unexpectedly moved to tears. The staging and theatricals were kept wonderfully simple by David McVicar, which added to the success of the production as it retained maximum potency.
Vittorio Grigolo plays the ageing Faust, Ren Pap is the dark devious Mephistopheles and Dmitri Hvorostovsky's plays the silky Valentin as the three exciting male leads enliven the first two acts. The production is set in the French Second Empire and Toronyi-Lalic was so impressed with Grigolo, he thought he even outshone the pitch-perfect Angela Gheorghiu as Marguerite who unusually floundered slightly here.
Conductor Evelino Pid made the audience feel they were watching a Moulin Rouge cabaret. Together, the team raised this piece from the realms of soap opera into something with significant depth and thought.
About the Author:
Steve Alexander enjoys writing about the latest grand opera performances in London. For the latest news from the world of grand opera, visit theartsdesk.com.
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