La Veronal heads Into the Little Hill in Madrid

By John Marten Barnard, 17 February 2020

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Reviewed at Teatros del Canal: Sala Roja, Madrid on 15 February 2020

Benjamin, Into the Little Hill

Teatro Real

Tim Murray, Conductor

Marcos Morau, Director

Max Glaenzel, Set Designer

Silvia Delagneau, Costume Designer

Jenny Daviet, The Crowd / Narrator / The Minister / The Minister’s Wife

Camille Merckx, The Crowd / The Stranger / Narrator / The Minister’s Child

Orquesta Titular del Teatro Real

La Veronal

Deborah Warner attains her theatrical dream at the Teatro Real

Juan José Freijo, 12th March

Warner once again displays her unquestionable talent onstage and her affinity with Benjamin Britten, although, on this occasion, the musical aspect are not equally satisfactory.

***11

Illuminating history-makers: Nixon in China lands in Madrid

David Karlin, 17th April

John Adams’ opera about Richard Nixon’s historic meeting with Mao Tse-Tung is performed with all round excellence, with a real find on the podium in the shape of Olivia Lee-Gunderman.

****1

The martyrs and the oppressed: Peter Grimes at Teatro Real Madrid

Juan José Freijo, 19th April

The new production of Peter Grimes stands out as the strongest item in Teatro Real's season, with magnificent staging by Deborah Warner and superb musical direction by Ivor Bolton, with outstanding vocal and dramatic performances.

*****

Reality as a staging concept: La traviata at Teatro Real, Madrid

Juan José Freijo, 22nd July

In this historic reopening, Lisette Oropesa offers a magnificent performance, dramatically overwhelming and vocally very unique.

****1

A disappointing new Falstaff from Laurent Pelly at the Teatro Real

Fernando Remiro, 25th April

Comedy fails to spark in Laurent Pelly's new production of Falstaff at the Teatro Real.

**111

Je suis narcissiste premières in Madrid

Fernando Remiro, 6th March

Raquel García-Tomás's new chamber opera is a mild comedy about narcissism, brought to life by a clever production and a strong cast.

***11

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John Marten Barnard

John Barnard has lived and worked for over 25 years in Barcelona. Originally from Kent in England, after university graduation he decided on a radical change in lifestyle, taking the decision to become a corporate English language trainer in Spain. He became involved in the world of opera several years ago when he offered language training services in the Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house in Barcelona. Since then has been a season ticket holder with his wife, attending opera on a regular basis in Spain and internationally.