Adventures in knitting: Ariadne in Bodø

By Aksel Tollåli, 22 March 2017

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“Kirsten Flagstad was a regular dressing room knitter”

Reviewed at Stormen Konserthus, Bodø on 19 March 2017

Strauss R., Ariadne auf Naxos

Arctic Opera

Christian Kluxen, Conductor

Katharina Jakhelln Semb, Director

Susanne Münzner, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Lise Davidsen, The Primadonna (Ariadne)

Shiri Hershkovitz, Zerbinetta

Adrian Angelico, Composer

Thomas Ruud, The Tenor (Bacchus)

Julia Iwaszkiewicz, Naiad

Marianne Folkestad Jahren, Echo

Siv Iren Misund, Dryad

Peter Wulfsberg Moen, Brighella, Dancing Master

Gunnar Andor Nieland, Harlequin, Wigmaker, Lackey

Nils Johnson, The Major-Domo

Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra

Reality television: ENO’s Angel’s Bone in Manchester

Lawrence Dunn, 12th May

Kip Williams and ENO mount an extraordinary new production of Du Yun and Royce Vavrek’s multifaceted opera, with performances of great emotional directness broadcast live on camera.

*****

Sir Thomas Allen’s Figaro for Scottish Opera still entertains

David Smythe, 9th May

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

****1

Sasha Cooke brings sharp intelligence to Seattle Opera’s Carmen

Thomas May, 8th May

Sasha Cooke’s thoughtful role debut anchors Paul Curran’s visually and musically alert but dramatically uneven production.

****1

Rossini’s Cenerentola proves great fun in Adelaide

Sandra Bowdler, 7th May

Neil Armfield’s production for State Opera South Australia combines a sparkling night of entertainment with first class musical values.

****1

Welsh National Opera’s Dutchman docks in Birmingham

Rohan Shotton, 7th May

This bracing performance of The Flying Dutchman is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary musical standards which are at risk in the face of WNO’s subsidy cuts.

****1

Werther oozes quiet despair in new Canadian Opera Company staging

John Gilks, 7th May

Excellent performances cannot turn a conventional production of Massenet’s Werther into a dramatic experience for the 21st century.

***11

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Aksel Tollåli

Aksel is currently studying towards a degree in musicology at the University of Oslo. At the moment he is an exchange student at Goldsmiths College in London. He is also a choral singer and a trombonist. His musical interests include 20th-cenury French music, Baroque opera and the music of Richard Strauss.

Adventures in knitting: A sensationally sung Ariadne auf Naxos in Bodø