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Archive for the ‘Opera’ Category

Opera review: The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte) (Royal Opera House, London, WC2)

Posted in Opera, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 19, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Opera review: The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte)
Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden London, WC2E 9DD
Royal Opera House – map
Performance run: 16 April – 9 May 2013
Review date: 16 April 2013
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Rating: ****1/2 (out of 5)

Nutshell synopsis (from the ROH site):

Nutshell review:
Overall production: ***** (out of 5)
Singing and choreography – ie overall performance by cast: ***** (out of 5)
Singing: ***** (out of 5)
Costumes: ***** (out of 5)
Sets: ***** (out of 5)
Music: ***** (out of 5)
Libretto: ***** (out of 5)
Lighting: **** (out of 5)
Creative interpretation: **** (out of 5)

Commentary: Many opera fans know The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte) very well. It is the wonderful journey of Tameno and Papageno through a world of magic and Egyptian worship as they try and rescue Tamino’s true love Pamina from her captor Sarastro and also unite Papageno with his wife to be, Papagena. Tamino must also save Pamina from her mother and the Queen of the Night’s plans of murder (Tamino in this case).

With all, of this to portray, plus the Queen of the Night’s battle against Sarastro, the agendas of her three Ladies, Sarastro’s Temple of Osiris and Isis and the love stories Tamino and Pamina and Papageno and Papgena – plus Papageno’s love of wine – the Royal Opera House (ROH) creates a spectacular and beautiful tale of all this on the stage. The huge grand and dark sets, in which the story is set are amazing and the entire cast sings beautifully, emotionally and have stunning costumes – particularly the Queen of the Night, her daughter Pamina, and her three ladies.

Plus, Tamino and Papageno are very heroic. Sweeping and well-sung, against a grand tide of songs, sounds, costumes and sets, The ROH’s Die Zauberflöte is memorable, creative, unique and glorious. The evening, production and story are a three-hour treasure never to be forgotten with many thanks to its creators Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (music) and Emanuel Schikaneder (libretto), plus the efforts of the ROH – cast, creative, orchestra and all under the direction of David McVicar, revival director Leah Hausman and designs by John McFarlane. And how often, besides seeing wonderful sparkly costumes that capture “starlight”, does one get to see either a huge crescent moon or the sun on stage?

A clever and magnificent production by the ROH, plus of course, we learn about the magical flute, that was crafted by Pamina’s father – and when played not only is peaceful, heavenly and a lovely piece of the production, but also unites the young lovers and guides and protects Tamino and Papageno on their journey, to be with their true loves  (Pamina/Tamino and Papageno/Papagena).

Further information:
The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte) (Royal Opera House official site)
The Magic Flute (Wikipedia)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Wikipedia)

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Opera review: The Firework Maker’s Daughter (Royal Opera House, London, WC2)

Posted in Opera, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 14, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Opera review: The Firework Maker’s Daughter (based on the story by Philip Pullman)
Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden London, WC2E 9DD
Royal Opera House – map
Performance run: 3-13 April 2013
Review date: 13 April 2013
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Rating: **1/1 (out of 5)

Nutshell synopsis (from the ROH site):
“Lila desperately wants to be a firework-maker like her father, but he claims it is no job for a girl. She runs away to learn the trade, meeting pirates, tigers and the terrifying Fire-Fiend on the way.”

Nutshell review:
Overall production (due to venue): **1/2 (out of 5)
Singing and choreography – ie overall performance by cast: **** (out of 5)
Singing: **** (out of 5)
Costumes: *** (out of 5)
Sets: **1/2 (out of 5)
Music: ***** (out of 5)
Libretto: *** (out of 5)
Lighting: ** (out of 5)
Creative interpretation: *** (out of 5)
Venue: * (out of 5)

Commentary: Set in India, a sweet and earnest story about how Lila, the daughter of a Firework Maker, also tries to become one and what she must do to achieve this.

Lila meets many interesting characters on her journey, even going to a land of shadows. Excellent vocals and music and the puppets and costumes are beautiful. Unfortunately, the Linbury Studio Theatre is not the same as the main stage at the ROH. It is downstairs in the building, very dark, and there is no curtain so you see lots of extraneous things throughout the performance. The modern and dark space for this opera - in my opinion - drags it down, if you are hoping for the elegance, charm and overall magnificence of the main stage. I was not transported out of my current surroundings to somewhere special like I am during main stage performances. This was mainly due to the venue, but partially also due to the production.

Further information:
The Firework Maker’s Daughter (Royal Opera House official site)
Royal Opera House (official site)
Philip Pullman (Wikipedia)
The Firework Maker’s Daughter (PhilipPullman.com)
Philip Pullman’s official site

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Opera review: Robert Le Diable (Royal Opera House)

Posted in Opera, tagged , , , , , , on March 17, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Opera review: Robert Le Diable
Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden London, WC2E 9DD
Royal Opera House – map
Performance run: 6-21 December 2012
Review date: 12 December 2012
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Rating: **** (out of 5)

Nutshell synopsis (from the ROH site):
Robert, Duke of Normandy, has travelled to Sicily with the hope of marrying Princess Isabelle. But his sinister companion, Bertram, threatens to lead him astray.

Nutshell review:
Overall production: **** (out of 5)
Singing and choreography – ie overall performance by cast: ***** (out of 5)
Singing: **** (out of 5)
Costumes: **** (out of 5)
Sets: *** (out of 5)
Music: ***** (out of 5)
Libretto: *** (out of 5)
Lighting: **** (out of 5)
Creative interpretation: ***1/2 (out of 5)

Commentary: This was a beautiful piece that was slightly modernised. The modern sets and costumes lose it the star. This is a very pretty piece and well sung and well put together, however it could have been better.

It feels like we are left hanging in parts as the modernity makes the directors unsure of what they are doing. It is too much of a mix of modern and traditional for the production to have a firm identity that other established Italian and German operas do. Fun, but I felt like I could have spent my time better doing something else. It was not a magical journey like so many of the ROH’s productions can be. Modern can work, the ROH’s Alice in Wonderland ballet does and some of the newer Frederick Ashton does. Unfortunately this doesn’t. However, it is still worth having seen to broaden one’s knowledge of what opera is out there.

Further information:
Robert Le Diable (Royal Opera House official site)
Royal Opera House London ballet: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – 2012 review (The London Reviewer)

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Opera review: The Mikado (English National Opera, St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2)

Posted in Opera, tagged , , , , , , , on March 9, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Opera review: The Mikado by Gilbert & Sullivan
About Gilbert & Sullivan and The Mikado: Libretto by WS Gilbert (1836–1911) and music by the composer Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900). First performed in 1885.
English National Opera, St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4ES
English National Opera – map
Performance date: 5 December 2012
Performance run: 1 December 2012 – 13 January 2013
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Rating: ***** (out of 5)
Stats (in brief): conductor – David Parry, original director – Jonathan Miller, revival director - Elaine Tyler-Hall, set designer - Stefanos Lazaridis, costume designer – Sue Blane, lighting designer – Davy Cunningham, choreographer – Anthony van Laast, revival choreographer-  Stephen Speed. Cast includes (but not limited to): Ko-Ko – Richard Suart, Nanki-Poo – Robert Murray, Yum-Yum – Mary Bevan, Pooh-Bah – Donald Maxwell, Peep-Bo – Fiona Canfield, Katisha – Yvonne Howard, The Mikado of Japan – Richard Angas, Pish-Tush – David Stout, Pitti Sing - Rachael Lloyd.

Nutshell review:
Overall production: ***** (out of 5)
Singing and choreography – ie overall performance by cast: **** (out of 5)
Singing: **** (out of 5)
Choreography: **** (out of 5)
Costumes: ***** (out of 5)
Sets: **** (out of 5)
Music and libretto: ***** (out of 5)
Lighting: *** (out of 5)
Creative interpretation: **** (out of 5)

Commentary: Overall, this was a great night and a pleasure to see if you had never seen this on stage before. It was straight-forward, positive, creative and powerful. Definitely a well-put together, well-loved and perfected production that made you come away feeling positive and in a ‘feel-good’ mood. Thank you so much to the cast, director and creative people behind the presentation, sets and costumes (see above for details of ‘who’s who’) - great stuff that makes me want to see more ENO. Not the venue’s fault but the lighting is harsh. I get a little bit sick within the building itself.

Further information:
The Mikado (English National Opera official site)
English National Opera (Official site)
Gilbert & Sullivan (Wikipedia)

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Opera review: Falstaff (Royal Opera House)

Posted in Opera, tagged on June 16, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Opera review: Falstaff (Royal Opera House)
Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD
Royal Opera House – map
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Peformance date: 23 May 2012
Rating: **** (out of 5)

The nutshell review: For those who love Verdi, and opera in general, and you are happy to watch something that doesn’t have a traditional set, then look no further as this is a beautiful rendition of Verdi’s take on variously knitted together Shakespeare plays and the setting is approximately 1950s English society (the choice of director Robert Carsen).

Falstaff is a man who is after various women and he can’t resist them, but they can resist him. Very beautiful sets, fabulous costuming and beautiful singing. This is a classic vintage piece for the ROH. Very well done and admirable.

Further information:
Falstaff (Royal Opera House)
Royal Opera House (official site)

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Opera review: Don Carlo (Royal Opera House, London WC2)

Posted in Opera, tagged , , , , , on July 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment »

Opera review: Don Carlo
Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD
Royal Opera House – map
Rating: **** (out of 5)
Review by: Alexa Williamson

Directed by The National Theatre’s Nicholas Hytner, this four-hour long piece by Guiseppe Verdi (written in 1867)  has received excellent reviews and was a complete sell-out.

Telling a love story against the backdrop of political turmoil, it recalls the tragic and bittersweet romance of Don Carlo of Spain and Elisebeta de Valois of France. Although they fall in love in the first scene of Act 1 and are initially promised to each other, Elisabeta later is betrothed to his father, King Philip II, to ensure that there is peace between France and Spain.

The rest of the opera follows their struggle to deny their love – and in doing so – Don Carlo’s exile to Flanders and, finally, their near deaths (as Don Carlo tries to help in the country’s liberation).

Set against minimal sets, this is a lovely piece with powerful singing from its two main stars Rolando Villazon as Don Carlo and Marina Poplavskaya as Elisabeta and the acting also makes it an enthralling four hours. For fans that go purely for the storyline and beautiful verse by this master, then it deserves a full five stars. However, for those of us who prefer the lavish traditional sets – or at least innovative modern ones – then this loses a star as the minimalist sets chosen for this performance were quite bland and looked odd in comparison to the traditional costumes worn.

More information:
Don Carlo (Wikipedia)
Royal Opera House (Official site)

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Opera review: Tosca (Royal Opera House, London WC2)

Posted in Opera, tagged , , , , , , , , on June 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment »

Opera review: Tosca
Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD
Royal Opera House – map
Performance date: 27 May 2008
Rating: ***** (out of 5)
Review by: Alexa Williamson

One of the great librettists of the European opera, Giacomo Puccini, like Guisseppe Verdi, is best known for his passionate – and many times – tragic and romantic stories. Tosca is indeed one of his masterpieces alongside Madama Butterfly and La Boheme.

Telling the story of a jealous opera singer who would do anything for her lover, ROH have created a wonderfully grandiose and colourful production.

Floria Tosca is a celebrated singer, who is in love with ecclesiastical painter Mario Cavaradossi. He in turn is involved in aiding and abetting the escape of convicted politico Cesare Angelotti. And, chief of police, Baron Scarpia is in love with Tosca and after Angelotti. What follows is a riveting three hours in which Scarpia courts and also attempts to blackmail Tosca (by capturing Cavaradossi and Angelotti), murder and Tosca’s heightened reactions of love and nemesis.

The ROH’s performance is large, highly detailed and extremely beautiful, giving off an aura of elegance and wonderful drama. Whether it’s a soul-penetrating aria between lovers, the heartbreaking moment in which Tosca unexpectedly loses Cavaradossi, or when she dives off the ramparts at the very end. Each scene is infused with a breath-taking and painfully touching energy.

A fantastic piece in its entirety, I recommend it as a first opera for those who want to be introduced to the art.

Further information:
Giacomo Puccini (Wikipedia)
Royal Opera House (official site)

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Opera review: Simon Boccanegra (Royal Opera House, London WC2)

Posted in Opera, tagged , , , , , on May 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment »

Opera review: Simon Boccanegra
Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD
Royal Opera House – map
Performance date: 22 May 2008
Rating: *****
Review by: Alexa Williamson

For those who like historic operas, with a twist of centuries-old politics in them, then Simon Boccanegra, currently in performance at the Royal Opera House is worth a venture.

As seasoned opera-goers will know, Guisseppe Verdi is the author of many stunning pieces including Rigoletto, Aida, and La Traviata, among the 35 he penned in his lifetime. Possibly one of his less performed pieces, Simon Boccanegra, nonetheless delivers the awe-struck feeling that one gets from seeing one of this master’s more popular passionate pieces.

Set in Genoa, Boccanegra is a plebeian who rises to power and along the way finds his long lost daughter, as well as several enemies. Possibly not as entrancing or easy to follow as some of the lighter – or even tragic – love story-operas, Simon Boccanegra is an intense and intricate piece as one sees how, as the saying goes, ‘power corrupts’.

With massive sets that entice as much as beautiful performances (particularly Lucio Gallo as Boccanegra and Anja Harteros as Amelia), voices and libretto, the ROH performance of this piece is one to catch if you’re in the mood for an opera that isn’t a love story, comedy – or both.

Further information:
Royal Opera House (Official site)

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