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Showing 9 of 9 reviews

Edward Jowle (Figaro) and Ava Dodd (Susanna) © Mihaela Bodlovic

Sir Thomas Allen’s Marriage of Figaro for Scottish Opera still entertains

By David Smythe, 09 May 2026

A traditional Marriage of Figaro entertains with a strong cast, eye-catching design and lighting, and Amanda Holden’s earthy libretto.

****1

****1

Glasgow

09 May 2026

Sir Thomas Allen’s Figaro for Scottish Opera still entertains

By David Smythe

Axelle Saint-Cirel (Watana) and Kamohelo Tsotetsi (Wapanacki) © Pádraig Grant

Wexford

Fountain of youth reaches retirement: Delius’ The Magic Fountain disappoints at Wexford

By Eleanor Knight, 19 October 2025

Frederick Delius' gigantic score is worth a listen but Christopher Luscombe doesn’t circumvent the problems of directing this opera in 2025.

**111

**111

Wexford

19 Oct 2025

Delius’ The Magic Fountain disappoints at Wexford

By Eleanor Knight

Oleksiy Palchykov (Nemorino) © Richard Hubert Smith

High Wycombe

Dr Feelgood wins the day: Richard Burkhard lights up Garsington Opera’s L’elisir d’amore

By David Karlin, 28 May 2025

Simon Higlett’s exquisite sets and costumes give a backdrop to Donizetti’s frothiest of rom-coms.

****1

****1

High Wycombe

28 May 2025

Garsington’s L’elisir d’amore: Dr Feelgood wins the day

By David Karlin

David Stout (Bartolo) and Samuel Dale Johnson (Figaro) © James Glossop

Glasgow

Scottish Barber of Seville packed with fun

By David Smythe, 17 October 2023

Sir Thomas Allen returns to Scottish Opera to revive The Barber of Seville with a strong cast headed by Samuel Dale Johnson, Anthony Gregory, David Stout and Simone McIntosh.

****1

****1

Glasgow

17 Oct 2023

Scottish Barber of Seville packed with fun

By David Smythe

High Wycombe

Parmesan hits the pasta in Garsington's new Barbiere di Siviglia

By Dominic Lowe, 31 May 2023

Come for the shave, stay for the comedy. Christopher Luscombe's new production of Rossini's beloved opera buffa avoids overcomplicating the plot, letting the work's humour and the abilities of the principals shine.

***11

***11

High Wycombe

31 May 2023

Parmesan hits the pasta in Garsington's new Barbiere di Siviglia

By Dominic Lowe

Glasgow

Sir Thomas Allen directs a delightful Don Giovanni at Scottish Opera

By David Smythe, 21 May 2022

Set in the sinister backstreets of Venice, this production from 2013 boasts strong singing all around and brisk, bright conducting by Stuart Stratford.

****1

****1

Glasgow

21 May 2022

Sir Thomas Allen directs a delightful Don Giovanni at Scottish Opera

By David Smythe

Alresford

The Grange Festival's Falstaff hits all the right notes

By Dominic Lowe, 09 June 2019

Comic opera can fall flat, but if The Grange Festival's new production of Verdi's final masterpiece is a total delight, with a strong concept and a strong cast. This is country-house opera at its best.

*****

*****

Alresford

09 Jun 2019

The Grange Festival's Falstaff hits all the right notes

By Dominic Lowe

Glasgow

Stovepipe hats are back: Scottish Opera’s steampunk Magic Flute returns

By David Smythe, 04 May 2019

Sir Thomas Allen’s crowd-pleasing Magic Flute returns to Scottish Opera in a finely sung performance with Tobias Ringborg drawing period colours from the orchestra.

****1

****1

Glasgow

04 May 2019

Scottish Opera’s steampunk Magic Flute returns

By David Smythe

Glasgow

Borderline sumptuous: Scottish Opera revives The Marriage of Figaro

By Gregor Forbes, 12 October 2016

Inventive comedy and excellent musicality bring Sir Thomas Allen’s traditional production back to life.

****1

****1

Glasgow

12 Oct 2016

Borderline sumptuous: Scottish Opera's Figaro

By Gregor Forbes