A disappointing new Falstaff from Laurent Pelly at the Teatro Real

By Fernando Remiro, 29 April 2019

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“Daniela Barcellona was the only truly comic singer of the night as Mistress Quickly”

Reviewed at Teatro Real: Sala Principal, Madrid on 25 April 2019

Verdi, Falstaff

Teatro Real

Daniele Rustioni, Conductor

Laurent Pelly, Director, Costume Designer

Barbara de Limburg, Set Designer

Nicola Alaimo, Sir John Falstaff

Rebecca Evans, Alice Ford

Simone Piazzola, Ford

Joel Prieto, Fenton

Ruth Iniesta, Nannetta

Daniela Barcellona, Mistress Quickly

Maite Beaumont, Meg Page

Mikeldi Atxalandabaso, Bardolfo (Bardolph)

Valeriano Lanchas, Pistola (Pistol)

Christophe Mortagne, Dr Caius

Joël Adam, Lighting Designer

Orquesta Titular del Teatro Real

Coro 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.

*****

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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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.