Opera
Godunov for me
Ignoring Russian opera — and, in particular, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov — is a mistake
Genuine English opera
‘Peter Grimes’ labours under the weight of national anxieties
Too darn hot
Carmen still shocks and seduces
Theodora: an over-fussy feminist failure
With productions this bad, it is no surprise that nobody cares about opera
Musical Lessons
Could the jazz-hands pizzaz of musical theatre be just what opera needs?
Hans Werner Henze: The Sea Betrayed (Capriccio)
I was completely absorbed by this opera as a sound production — maybe one day I’ll get to see the whole show
Into the mystic
Contemporary debates over the “suitability” of many operas leaves us with only English productions
Ring of fire
The ENO’s production of The Valkyrie may lack flames, but it is convincing nonetheless
Hot Valks live!
While belly-laughs are not frequent, there’s terrific fun to be had in this massive soap-opera-style family melodrama
To the bitter end
Why on earth would we want to see the same tawdry old stories endlessly re-enacted?