Category Archives: opera

Catching Lucrezia

Posted on April 26, 2011 by

The English National Opera has been having a good run lately, not that you would know it from some reports. The biggest “disaster” was supposed to be their production of Donizetti’s rarely performed Lucrezia Borgia. Directed by  Mike Figgis (director … Continue reading →

Posted in ENO, London, opera

Miller and Lehnhoff Reviving Revivals

Posted on April 26, 2011 by

Equally interesting and satisfying were the revivals of Jonathan Miller’s hilarious take on Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado and of Nikolaus Lehnhoff’s Parsifal. I cannot let them pass without noting that John Tomlinson played Gurnemanz in English for the very … Continue reading →

Posted in London, opera

An Introduction to Verdi’s “La Traviata”

Posted on December 6, 2010 by

For anyone who wants to know what Guiseppe Verdi’s opera “La Traviata” is really about and why, listen to Mel give a short intro to the background, the opera, and the themes behind the story.

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Failing Fidelio?

Posted on December 4, 2010 by

Despite earlier performances in which I am told his voice was uncomfortably effortful, the night I saw the new Welsh National Opera production of Fidelio, the legendary Dennis O’Neill was in fine form and some of dryness in the voice … Continue reading →

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Don’t Giovanni

Posted on November 14, 2010 by

I was looking forward to seeing what Rufus Norris would make of Don Giovanni. I really liked his direction of the play of Vernon God Little. Unfortunately, he has interpreted Don Giovanni in roughly the same way and to me … Continue reading →

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A New Star to Watch

Posted on November 9, 2010 by

I went along to the ENO revival of La Boheme because it is Jonathan Miller’s production. I came out in a state of bliss not just because of this intelligent production and the way it has been reworked; not just … Continue reading →

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Mel interviews Rebecca Evans, in her role as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni

Posted on November 8, 2010 by

The Welsh soprano, Rebecca Evans, is rehearsing for a new ENO production of Don Giovanni.

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An Introduction to Puccini’s La Boheme

Posted on November 8, 2010 by

Watch this if you want to learn about the opera, scene by scene, in less than 15 minutes! Mel’s interview with the real Mimi, Elizabeth Llewellyn at the English National Opera is just below.

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Mel talks to Elizabeth Llewellyn, Soprano

Posted on November 8, 2010 by

One of the finest voices I’ve ever heard. Watch and listen.

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