Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from June, 2013

Gloriana at Royal Opera

I went to the 15th production of Gloriana at the Royal Opera. Yes, it was only the 15th. The overture / fanfare was great - crisp and sonorous. This was well coupled with the slightly comical town-hall cum lineage lesson. Susan Bullock and Toby Spence were well matched Queen and Essex, with convincing character development along the drama. The choral dances "Time and Concord" were superbly sung by the chorus. Paul Daniel maintained a good pace too.

La Donna del Lago at Royal Opera

The story line was ok. The production? It was ok. Didn't quite get the glass-casing of Scott and Elena. But with an all-star cast, Royal Opera's production of La Donna del Lago delivered all the vocal pyrotechnic that made the effort worthwhile. One moment we were treated to Joyce DiDonato's (Elena) amazingly well controlled collatura, the next moment it was Juan Diego Flórez's super lyrical lines. Daniela Barcellona was fantastic Malcom with a rich and fruity tone.