Auckland Opera Studio's Così fan tutte makes for an ebullient and moving evening

By Simon Holden, 12 November 2012

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Reviewed at Mercury Theatre, Auckland on 11 November 2012

Mozart, Così fan tutte

Auckland Opera Studio

Patrice Wilson, Director

Auckland Chamber Orchestra

Peter Scholes, Conductor

Madeleine Pierard, Fiordiligi

Anna Pierard, Dorabella

Kawiti Waetford, Guglielmo

Thomas Atkins, Ferrando

Barbara Graham, Despina

Joel Amosa, Don Alfonso

Strong cast opens Handel's Oreste in Auckland

Simon Holden, 20th August

This performance of Oreste showcased a exceptionally strong young cast keenly in tune with Handelian style.

****1

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The audience for Lucia di Lammermoor was treated to a young, very believable cast showcasing a star in the making in the form of New Zealand-born Samoan soprano Marlena Devoe.

****1

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Visually enchanting and meticulously staged, this centenary revival confirms Livermore's production as a modern classic.

****1

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Dominic Lowe, 10th April

Divorced from Cavalleria rusticana, English Touring Opera’s contemporary take on Leoncavallo’s masterpiece ticks all the boxes.

****1

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Robert Carsen’s staging of Handel's oratorio arrives, via Salzburg, in the city where Handel composed it in 1707.

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Simon Holden

Simon is an operaphile based in Auckland, New Zealand. He wrote his dissertation on Japanese popular music. With a background in piano and classical music retail, he spends his time attending as much opera or vocal concert as he can and blogs at irishenceaway.blogspot.com.