Mainly Opera and Ballet
Mazeppa himself is sometimes regarded as a Ukrainian patriot against the Russians, but the truth is somewhat more complicated. Sweden was at that time, along with Russia, a great power in the region, but for more details see my review of this furiously compelling opera.
Sadly this delightful Viennese operetta was converted into a story set in New York dealing with the criminal underworld. This necessitated wholesale changes to the libretto, and the performers were required to speak in New York accents, which really didn’t work — see my review in The Article.
Political intrigue, paternity and poison are the principal ingredients driving this Verdi opera. The story, set in 14th century Genoa, may be ahistorical in detail but the ambitions driving it are not, and there really was a pirate turned governor named Simon Boccanegra — see my review in The Article.
A fine but simple staging of Wagner’s Flying Dutchman was given a superb performance at Opera Holland Park. The two choruses sang extremely well, and those from the Dutchman’s ghostly ship appeared in threatening guise like figures from some modern terrorist group. Altogether a wonderful experience — see my review in the Article.
An excellent production of Tchaikovsky’s opera, set in the time of Catherine the Great, was beautifully staged. Such a pleasant relief to see it set in the correct period, and without altering the story. My review in The Article.
After Wagner’s death in 1883, an Englishman named Houston Stewart Chamberlain promoted a Wagner cult, inveigling himself with the great composer’s widow Cosima. Chamberlain was the sort of man who needed a cause, and his antisemitism helped propel an unhealthy attitude towards Wagner’s music. This German opera by an Israeli composer tackles these issues in …
Parsifal, Wagner’s final opera was produced in 1882 and this production starts with costumes of the time, but it then veers wildly off the story by treating the whole thing as if it were a Chekhov play. There is no spear, Kundry’s anguish is absent, but the singing was superb and Robin Ticciati worked wonders …
Musically this was outstanding under the baton of Antonio Pappano, who has just been made the Royal Opera’s first Conductor Laureate. The singing was excellent all round, and the only thing to mar one’s enjoyment was Barrie Kosky’s production with its obsession in having a naked Erda on stage for most of the time — …
This new production by the Welsh National Opera portrays Grimes, brilliantly performed by Nicky Spence, as a bully. Brutal but with a hugely vulnerable side that is desperate for the love of the young widow Ellen Orford. She would take him in a heartbeat, but he insists on acquiring the respect of the local community …
If you ever wondered about the history of Mary Stuart and her period on the throne of Scotland this opera by Thea Musgrave explains the intrigue, the competition for her hand in marriage, and the religious tensions. The only downside is that there is no let up from the tension — see my review in …
