Artiste: John Upperton

Midsummer Opera took to the stage of St John’s Waterloo for a vivacious performance of Verdi’s tragic Un ballo in maschera, celebrating their 30th anniversary season.

A disappointingly po-faced and directorally hidebound production almost takes the shine off a superb Daphne starring Justine Viani, with an exciting Peneios from Welsh bass James Gower. 

Small London company Midsummer Opera's production of Verdi's huge Otello was extremely ambitious, with a full orchestra filling St Johns Church, Waterloo. Tenor John Upperton took on a lot, acting as chorusmaster as well as singing Otello, and he took the evening's vocal honours.