Mainly Opera and Ballet
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 …
Less than two years after the end of the first world war an opera on the loss of a loved one resonated with contemporary society, and was a huge success. Its 23-year old composer Erich Korngold already had two successful one-act operas to his name and this new 3-act work attracted fierce bids, premiering simultaneously …
If you demand this opera in eighteenth century costume — and I overheard some in the audience who did — then forget it. But if you are happy to see a more up to date interpretation, then this is a winner. It’s the 1960s and Almaviva is one of the nouveau riche, possibly a pop star, …
Altogether this is a wonderful new production by the ENO, and the visual effects were so good that the audience spontaneously applauded the ball scene as the curtain opened for Act III.
There they are in a lonely room within the stage, while snow falls outside, and the red shawl Charlotte wrapped around her white dress before rushing to Werther’s side matches the red blood on his white shirt. It’s a sad and lovely scene, and the audience roared their approval of Rolando Villazon in the title role, …
