Brush up your Janáček: foxy tales at Opera Holland Park

By Mark Pullinger, 14 July 2021

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“Jennifer France was an excellent Vixen, fearless in vocal attack (top notes ping) and full of energy”

Reviewed at Holland Park Theatre, London on 13 July 2021

Janáček, The Cunning Little Vixen (Sung in English)

Opera Holland Park

Jessica Cottis, Conductor

Stephen Barlow, Director

Andrew D. Edwards, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Rory Beaton, Lighting Designer

Jennifer France, Vixen

Grant Doyle, Forester

Julia Sporsén, Fox

Ann Taylor, Forester’s wife, Owl

Charne Rochford, Schoolmaster, Mosquito

John Savournin, Badger, Parson

Ashley Riches, Harašta

Chuma Sijeqa, Harašta

Harriet Eyley, Chocholka

Natasha Agarwal, Lapák

Grace Nyandoro, Jay, Rooster

Chloë Pardoe, Woodpecker

Phillip Costovski, Pásek

Yolanda Grant-Thompson, Mrs Paškova

Sarita Piotrowski, Choreographer/ Movement Director

Opera Holland Park Chorus

City of London Sinfonia

Born to sing Lucia: Jennifer France shines at Opera Holland Park

Mark Valencia, 18th July

Cecilia Stinton’s new production of Lucia di Lammermoor doesn't necessarily make best use of OHP’s performance space, but the singers excel.

***11

A mafioso Merry Widow at Opera Holland Park

Dominic Lowe, 19th June

Despite some excellent music-making, John Savournin's production is hindered by a laboured New York relocation.

**111

Jonathan Dove’s Itch at Opera Holland Park

David Karlin, 3rd June

Simon Mayo’s Young Adult novels are turned into an operatic romp which explores the fascination of the elements with excellent music and setting, albeit riddled with plot lacunae.

****1

Doomed Dutchman wants a wife: Wagner makes Opera Holland Park debut

Eleanor Knight, 27th May

Amid the rough winds of late May, Julia Burbach directs Opera Holland Park's first venture into Wagner – The Flying Dutchman.

***11

Trapped in a vice: Il segreto di Susanna and Pagliacci at OHP

Dominic Lowe, 17th July

Joining OHP's 2019 production of Wolf-Ferrari's charming domestic comedy, a blazing new production of Pagliacci delivers everything that one could want from Leoncavallo's infamous opera.

*****

Puccini's Edgar makes a rare appearance at Opera Holland Park

Dominic Lowe, 2nd July

Is Puccini's second opera unloved and unlovable? Opera Holland Park makes a commendable attempt to revive Edgar, but struggles to overcome its many flaws.

***11

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Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.