Reviews Archive
Blaze of Glory – WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome, 06 May 2023. Then at Southampton 20 May 2023. 5**** David Gray & Paul Gray
A heart-warming story about the power of song.
The Magic Flute – Mozart, WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome, 5 May 2023. Then at Southampton 26 & 27 May 2023. 4**** David Gray & Paul Gray
A radical and fresh new take on an old favourite.
Alessandro Stradella, 1678 The Power of Paternal Love - The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham – The Barber Opera, University of Birmingham 14 April 2023 – 5*****, David Gray & Paul Gray
A very long overdue revival of an opera that needs to be heard more
The Dead City (Die tote Stadt) by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. English National Opera: The Coliseum, London WC2. 4****. Clare Colvin.
Brilliantly directed staging of Korngold’s 1920s cult classic opera on exploration of loss
Akhnaten by Philip Glass. English National Opera, The Coliseum, London WC2. 4**** Clare Colvin
Visionary staging of Philip Glass’s Egyptian classic
Ariadne auf Naxos. Theatre Royal, Nottingham. 17 March 2023. 4****. William Ruff
Strauss’s Ariadne may be bonkers but it’s beautiful too
The Cunning Little Vixen (Opera North). Theatre Royal, Nottingham. 14 March 2023. 5*****. William Ruff
Opera North’s Vixen is 40 years old but as life-enhancing as ever
Rusalka by Antonin Dvorák. Royal Opera House WC2. To 7 March. 3*** Clare Colvin.
Watery end to a wood spirit’s dream
Least Like the Other by Brian Irvine. Irish National Opera at Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House London to 19 Jan 2023 . 4**** Clare Colvin
Compelling tale of political conformity’s sacrificial victim
It’s a Wonderful Life by Jake Heggie; Libretto by Gene Scheer 4**** English National Opera, The Coliseum, London WC2 to 10 December 2022. Clare Colvin.
Heart-warming sentiment on the side of the angels in opera adaptation of classic Christmas film.
Alcina by George Frideric Handel Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London WC2 4**** Clare Colvin
Pantomime of earthly delights in Handel’s late baroque extravaganza
Orpheus (Opera North). Theatre Royal, Nottingham. 12 November 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
East and west combine to produce a thrilling artistic synergy
La Boheme – Giacomo Puccini, WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome, 9 - 11 November 2022 then on tour, 4**** David Gray & Paul Gray
A well sung revival of a sturdy production
Opera North (Orfeo ed Euridice). Theatre Royal, Nottingham. 9 November 2022. 4****. William Ruff
Opera North’s Orfeo ed Euridice may be semi-staged but there’s no skimping on emotional power
The Makropulos Affair – Janáček, Welsh National Opera (WNO) The Birmingham Hippodrome, 8 November 2022, on tour until 2 December 2022. 5***** David Gray
An intense and richly realised piece of music theatre.
Opera North (La Traviata). Theatre Royal, Nottingham. November 8, 10, 11 2022. 4****. William Ruff
With La Traviata Opera North presents a music drama that thrills, delights and moves to tears
La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini - Glyndebourne to 29 October then touring to 26 November 2022. 4**** - Clare Colvin
A Gothic touch to Puccini’s tragic tale of young love facing hard reality
Aida by Giuseppe Verdi. Royal Opera House, London WC2 to 12 October 2022. 3 ***. Clare Colvin
Sober triumphs for world war Aida
Sober triumphs for World War Aida.
Alcina (Opera North). Theatre Royal, Nottingham. March 17 2022. 4****. William Ruff
Rigoletto (Opera North). Theatre Royal, Nottingham. March 16 2022. 5*****. William Ruff
A Rigoletto which opens ears and eyes to the murky depths beneath the ultra-tuneful surface.