Tag: featured
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Why was ENO’s Yeoman of the Guard so boring?
Gilbert and Sullivan were fighting when they wrote Yeoman of the Guard. Sullivan wanted to compose a serious opera. Gilbert wanted to continue their successful brand—writing biting parody of Victorian society against the beauty of late-nineteenth century scores. In the end, Gilbert gave in to Sullivan. The result is their most serious opera. Hefty source…
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What Happened? Impressive Young Singer Inappropriately Heckled & Boo’ed Royal Opera House
Malakai M Bayoh first walks on stage as Oberto in a Puritan-inspired school uniform and a cross-the-shoulder messenger bag. He’s cleverly holding up a “Missing” poster. His character is searching for his father whom, unbeknownst to Oberto, the enchantress Alcina has turned into a lion. Bayoh is confident and consistent on stage. In the first…
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Alcina’s Magic Sparkles, but Fades Quickly at the Royal Opera House
Opening night saw the Royal Opera House buzzing for a new production of Handel’s Alcina, As if Alcina’s magic perfume cast a sleeping spell on the once-eager audience. Director Richard Jones’ production is a deconstructed Alcina — it takes apart the pieces of Handel’s hit, but is unable to put them back together. The stage…
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To Awaken the Sleeper Meets the Moment with the Barbican’s London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra has dusted off its music stands and shelved its well-worn repertoire for an exciting and thoroughly modern evening of UK premieres. Awaken the Sleeper: American Music for Our Times meets the moment. The music is young. All four pieces were written in the past 5 years. All the composers are alive—one…
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Death Drop 2: Back in the Habit: Is the sequel better than the original?
I loved last year’s Death Drop so much I saw it twice. TuckShop UK’s “Dragatha Christie” murder mystery launched two West End runs, a national tour and now a franchise. So, my excitement was high when TuckShop announced Death Drop 2: Back in the Habit. But what is the new show all about? Enter the Convent…
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Dmitry: A surprisingly poignant picture of Russian power in a stylish new Marylebone Theatre
Before Anastasia, there was Dmitry. The royal imposter who led an army of Poles and Cossacks to take the crown and become tsar of Russia. But why this play now? Schiller’s play on Russian history is largely lost to history and rarely performed. Why bring it back now? Is it satisfying to watch the invasion…
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English National Opera’s Tosca: Young Stars Shine Bright in Timeless Tosca
120 years after its premiere, is it possible for Puccini’s Tosca to feel fresh? In its English National Opera premiere, Cristof Loy’s Tosca is a classic with a few twists. There’s more than meets the eye with this Tosca. The curtain rises with bold fanfare that gives way to an instantly familiar church. This world…
London Show Cap 