Robert Thicknesse

Robert Thicknesse is the Critic's opera critic

Grand opera was long thought quite dead but is suddenly rearing its shaggy head again

Opera really doesn’t need the help of activist directors when it comes to politics — it’s all there already

Those in charge are in thrall to vain provocateur directors

Every six months or so opera surfaces from its undersea lair, like a Bond villain, to enter public consciousness — generally when it’s been naughty.