The Royal Opera’s revival of Verdi’s Il Trovatore, directed by Adele Thomas and first unveiled in 2023, returned to the stage last night. This is a production that divides opinion: a theatrical ‘marmite’ that some hail for its dramatic aesthetic, while others contend that the staging detracts from the opera’s emotional heart
Carmen – Royal Opera – 2025
Last year’s new production of Carmen from Damiano Michieletto won critical acclaim. Directed as a verismo piece, Michieletto adds detail to the famous plot so that even if you think you know the story, there will always be something to catch your eye. Set in the structural frame of ‘Opera Comique’ and infused with the spirit of the Zarzuela, the Spanish musical theatre that helped define the country’s national identity, this is a Carmen that will transport you to Spain within minutes of the curtain rising
Balanchine at The Royal Ballet: Three Signature Works
On Friday, 28th March, The Royal Ballet opened its triple bill of ballets to celebrate the giant of 20th century ballet worldwide, George Balanchine, who transformed American ballet, was the creator of the Neoclassical style and created over 465 works.
Turandot at the Royal Opera – 5 Star Spectacular
With the crash of a gong or six, director Andrei Zerban’s classic 1984 production of Puccini’s final work Turandot that combines elements of opera, Chinese theatre and the Italian dramatic traditions of Commedia dell’arte is back at Covent Garden for a 16th revival
Romeo and Juliet – Royal Ballet
With Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball in the lead roles for the opening night of Romeo and Juliet yesterday, the audience was mesmerised by this classic, emotional ballet with intricate choreography punctuated by grand ensemble scenes.
Festen at the Royal Opera House
Happy Families… A new opera by English composer Mark-Anthony Turnage is always a cause for excitement amongst the critical classes. Scribblers like myself, as well as the great and the good of the classical music world, were out in force last night at Covent Garden for the triumphant premiere of Festen, the finest English-language opera […]
The Royal Opera – Aida
The Rivals of Aida! Last night was the opening of the second revival of Robert Carsen’s production of Verdi’s four-act opera Aida for the Royal Opera. This grandest of grand operas is set in ancient Egypt and examines the love triangle at the centre of the country’s violent relationship with Ethiopia. Canadian director Carson locates […]
The Royal Ballet’s Onegin
Onegin’s structure is similar to that of the opera by the same name, with seven lyric scenes over the course of three acts, with the drama being played out through a series of pas de deux punctuated by ensemble dances at the two party scenes. Cranko uses classical ballet techniques alongside modern and folk elements in what can be seen as a modernisation of classical ballet that leads on to the works of Kenneth MacMillan.
Jenufa – Royal Ballet and Opera
Exceptional orchestral performance of Jenůfa amidst a bleak staging When the playwright Gabriela Preissová was first approached for permission to turn her play Její Pastorkyňa into an opera she was reluctant. Having been warned by a friend that opera will oppress or even suppress a play of the same name, Preissová wrote that her material […]
Hansel and Gretel – Royal Opera House
This production of Hansel and Gretel at the Royal Opera House works for all ages. Two six-year-olds on one side of me were on the edge of their seats throughout, and despite the darker moments (at one point, Hansel is enchained and fed through a funnel like a goose for foie gras, at another the dead witch’s arm is brandished on stage), didn’t flinch. On the other side, three women on what looked like a pre-Christmas treat giggled their way through the lighter moments and gasped at all the right points.