Thomas Mann's novella Death in Venice is packed full of atmoshperic details of the characters surrounding Gustav von Aschenbach. David McVar's production of Britten's last opera brought these characters - leading and incidental alike - into vivid portrays on the Royal Opera stage. Vicki Mortimer's set gave the production a cinematic quality - stark sunshine on the beach, foggy canals and dingy Venetian corners. Mark Padmore's von Aschenbach was weighted without being stodgy. His diction was superb. His singing was nuanced. Gerald Finley amazingly morphed from one character to the next - so unless you knew in advance he played the Traveller, Old Gondolier, Hotel Manager, Elderly Fop, Hotel Barber et al, you wouldn't know that was sung by the same singer. Hats off to that.
Leo Dixon was Tadzio - his movements portrayed vividly both the youthfullness of the character and the allure that was key to his interaction with von Aschenbach. The rest of the dancing cast was great, thanks to Lynne Page's dynamic and fluid choreography. Richard Farnes's reading of the score was accurate (there were some tricky rhythms) with superb clarity, never getting in the way of Britten's lyrical phrases. It was a fantaistic performance all round.
Leo Dixon was Tadzio - his movements portrayed vividly both the youthfullness of the character and the allure that was key to his interaction with von Aschenbach. The rest of the dancing cast was great, thanks to Lynne Page's dynamic and fluid choreography. Richard Farnes's reading of the score was accurate (there were some tricky rhythms) with superb clarity, never getting in the way of Britten's lyrical phrases. It was a fantaistic performance all round.
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