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Welsh National Opera stages Death in Venice for the first time... and it’s a triumph

Mark Le Brocq (Gustav von Aschenbach) and Antony César (Tadzio)
© Johan Persson
Alexander Chance (Voice of Apollo), Mark Le Brocq (Aschenbach), Roderick Williams (Dionysus)
© Johan Persson
Diana Salles (Polish Mother)
© Johan Persson
Antony César (Tadzio), Riccardo Frederico Saggese (Jaschiu) and ensemble
© Johan Persson
Mark Le Brocq (Gustav von Aschenbach)
© Johan Persson
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“director Olivia Fuchs has solved the opera’s every problem”
Reviewed at Wales Millennium Centre: Donald Gordon Theatre, Cardiff on 7 March 2024
Britten, Death in Venice
Leo Hussain, Conductor
Olivia Fuchs, Director
Nicola Turner, Set Designer, Costume Designer
Robbie Butler, Lighting Designer
Welsh National Opera Orchestra
Welsh National Opera Chorus
Sam Sharples, Video
Mark Le Brocq, Gustav von Aschenbach
Roderick Williams, Traveller/ Elderly fop/ Old gondolier/ Hotel manager/ Hotel barber/ Leader of the players/ Voice of Dionysus
Alexander Chance, Voice of Apollo
Carolyn Jackson, Danish Lady
Meriel Andrew, English Lady, Lace seller
Angharad Morgan, Newspaper seller
Fiona Harrison-Wolfe, Russian mother
Helen Greenaway, Nurse-governess
Emily Christina Loftus, Strawberry seller
Stella Woodman, German mother
Claire Hampton, Strolling player
Alun Rhys-Jenkins, Glassmaker
Peter Van Hulle, Hotel porter
Rhodri Prys-Jones, Strolling player
Stephen Wells, A guide
Gareth Brynmor John, English clerk
Martin Lloyd, Hotel waiter
Alastair Moore, Russian father
Antony César, Tadzio
Riccardo Saggese, Circus artist
Firenza Guidi, Circus director
A magnificent Tosca from Welsh National Opera at the Mayflower
*****
Bancroft and BBCNOW at the Proms: a deeply satisfying Mahler 3
****1
A dark and disturbing Rigoletto from WNO at the Mayflower
****1
Musical performances keep WNO's new Così afloat
***11
Stacey Alleaume leads WNO's emotionally-charged Traviata
****1
Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar revived by WNO for its 2023 tour
****1
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