I missed this production first time around and have made up for it on Friday. David McVicar's set is fairly simple and readily morphs into the three rooms required by virtue of each owners' perceived need for ostentation. The Feldmarschallin's chamber like herself is a trifle run-down but of course being a princess she has no need to show off too much. The addition of masses more gold drapes show Herr von Faninal's desperation to impress. The inn is just plain seedy. McVicar's direction glides like clockwork with nothing unnecessary to distract. The small parts are handled well. Jaewoo Kim's Italian Singer being typical of a string of thoroughly excellent portrayals.
Sir John Tomlinson makes Baron Ochs boorish without overdoing the vulgarity so that the merest gesture raises a good laugh. His big voice is as clear as a bell, every word coming over. Like the best of Malvolios or Beckmessers the audience feel some affection for him as the trickery imposed upon him seems so harsh. It is a wonderful Indian Summer for such a fine singer. Sophie Bevan is a delight as her namesake, Faninal's daughter. Such sweetness of voice and strength of acting prove she is a singer that should go far. Amanda Roocroft acts the Marschallin brilliantly, touching in her bravery of gesture towards the young lovers and the aristocratic power she demonstrates to the unbelievingly vain Ochs. The rough quality of her upper voice added to the character, only becoming a real problem in the final trio. As for Sarah Connolly's Octavian, she is one of those Rosenkavaliers who truly and rightly dominates the opera. Her breeches acting is of the best and her double-drag act as Mariandel is hilarious where she adopts a Mummerset accent. Sumptuous of voice, singing of this calibre makes this an operatic experience to treasure.
Edward Gardner extracts international playing from the ENO orchestra and superb singing from the chorus. It would be a joy to hear this band have a go at something like Eine Alpensinfonie!
I noticed the Director of Radio 3 sitting a couple of rows behind me. I hope R3 broadcasts one of the performances.
Sir John Tomlinson makes Baron Ochs boorish without overdoing the vulgarity so that the merest gesture raises a good laugh. His big voice is as clear as a bell, every word coming over. Like the best of Malvolios or Beckmessers the audience feel some affection for him as the trickery imposed upon him seems so harsh. It is a wonderful Indian Summer for such a fine singer. Sophie Bevan is a delight as her namesake, Faninal's daughter. Such sweetness of voice and strength of acting prove she is a singer that should go far. Amanda Roocroft acts the Marschallin brilliantly, touching in her bravery of gesture towards the young lovers and the aristocratic power she demonstrates to the unbelievingly vain Ochs. The rough quality of her upper voice added to the character, only becoming a real problem in the final trio. As for Sarah Connolly's Octavian, she is one of those Rosenkavaliers who truly and rightly dominates the opera. Her breeches acting is of the best and her double-drag act as Mariandel is hilarious where she adopts a Mummerset accent. Sumptuous of voice, singing of this calibre makes this an operatic experience to treasure.
Edward Gardner extracts international playing from the ENO orchestra and superb singing from the chorus. It would be a joy to hear this band have a go at something like Eine Alpensinfonie!
I noticed the Director of Radio 3 sitting a couple of rows behind me. I hope R3 broadcasts one of the performances.
. On the radio it's the performance that matters, anyway - not that the SO didn't have some cracking singers, & the orchestra was pretty good under Richard Armstrong. & it would possibly have been Radio Scotland's responsibility, & I'm afraid they just aren't interested.
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