Warner's new Billy Budd sets a new standard in Madrid

By Fernando Remiro, 06 February 2017

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“Youth blooms in his mellow baritone and passionate phrasing”

Reviewed at Teatro Real: Sala Principal, Madrid on 3 February 2017

Britten, Billy Budd

Teatro Real

Ivor Bolton, Conductor

Deborah Warner, Director

Michael Levine, Set Designer

Jacques Imbrailo, Billy Budd

Toby Spence, Captain Vere

Brindley Sherratt, John Claggart

Thomas Oliemans, Mr Redburn

David Soar, Mr Flint

Torben Jürgens, Lieutenant Ratcliffe

Christopher Gillett, Red Whiskers

Clive Bayley, Dansker

Duncan Rock, Donald

Sam Furness, Novice

Francisco Vas, Squeak

Manel Esteve Madrid, Bosun

Jean Kalman, Lighting Designer

Kim Brandstrup, Choreography

Coro Titular del Teatro Real

Orquesta Titular del Teatro Real

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

La Veronal heads Into the Little Hill in Madrid

John Marten Barnard, 15th February

The Teatros del Canal host the Benjamin–Crimp partnership’s thrillingly dark, lyric retelling of Robert Browning’s famous 1842 poem The Pied Piper of Hamelin by La Veronal dance company.

*****

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

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Fernando Remiro

Fernando studied history and political science. He is passionate about opera and lied, a devoted fan of Benjamin Britten, and a lover of challenging stage productions. He wrote opera reviews for the Spanish musical magazine Ritmo and tweets about opera at @operatweets.

Deborah Warner's new Billy Budd sets a new standard in Madrid