Midsummer Opera celebrates 30th Anniversary Season

By Kathryn Wareham, 22 November 2015

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Reviewed at St John's, Waterloo, London on 20 November 2015

Verdi, Un ballo in maschera

Midsummer Opera

David Roblou, Conductor

Lynne McAdam, Director

Jane Streeton, Amelia

Catrine Kirkman, Oscar

Joanna Gamble, Ulrica

Christopher Hollis, Judge

John Upperton, Riccardo

Andrew Mayor, Renato

Justin Bindley, Samuel

Brewer, Tony, Silvano

Graham Stone, Tom

Midsummer Opera: Otello

Roger Smith, 18th October

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.

***11

Midsummer Opera: Otello

Roger Smith, 18th October

***11

The triumph of virtue: Rossini’s Cenerentola in Brisbane

Sandra Bowdler, 29th April

Margarita Gritskova leads a fine ensemble performance of Rossini’s most under-appreciated opera by Opera Queensland.

****1

Grigolo shines in a mixed new Roméo et Juliette at the Opera di Roma

Pia Maltri, 28th April

With its 1940s setting, Luca Del Fusco’s direction alienates in a new production of Gounod's Shakespeare-inspired opera.

***11

Romeo Castellucci directs a new Pelléas et Mélisande at La Scala

Laura Servidei, 26th April

The Italian director makes his long-awaited Italian operatic debut at the Teatro alla Scala in a production which perfectly mirrors Debussy’s most enigmatic creation.

****1

Chiaroscuro extinguished: a self-indulgent Poppea in Copenhagen

Mengguang Huang, 26th April

Christoph Marthaler’s staging of Monteverdi’s Poppea for the Royal Danish Opera is a study in boredom.

**111

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Kathryn Wareham

Having decided her life mission was to become a drummer (aged five), Kathryn now sings opera and presents classical music radio programmes across the South of England. Kathryn studied Music at both Royal Holloway, University of London and Paris IV – La Sorbonne, Paris and upon graduation coached students in Québec for regional talent competitions. Recently returned from travelling around North America, Kathryn is devouring the music scene in London where she currently resides.

Midsummer Opera celebrates 30th Anniversary Season with Un ballo in maschera