Opera Holland Park makes a convincing case for La fanciulla del West

Adrian Edwards (Sonora) and Amanda Echalaz (Minnie)

José de Eça (Dick Johnson) and Robert Hayward (Jack Rance)

Opera Holland Park Chorus

Amanda Echalaz (Minnie) and Robert Hayward (Jack Rance)

Amanda Echalaz (Minnie), Robert Hayward (Jack Rance) and José de Eça (Dick Johnson)

By Dominic Lowe, 28 May 2026

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“epitomises the company’s commitment to thoughtful drama”

Reviewed at Holland Park Theatre, London on 26 May 2026

Puccini, La fanciulla del West

Opera Holland Park

Matthew Kofi Waldren, Conductor

Martin Lloyd-Evans, Director

Anna Reid, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Jamie Platt, Lighting Designer

City of London Sinfonia

Opera Holland Park Chorus

Amanda Echalaz, Minnie

José de Eça, Dick Johnson

Robert Hayward, Jack Rance

Zwakele Tshabalala, Nick

Alaric Green, Ashby

Samuel Snowden, Jim Larkens

Robert Jenkins, The Pony Express Rider

Freddie Tong, Billy Jackrabbit

Ronald Nairne, José Castro

Aidan Edwards, Sonora

Kezia Bienek, Wowkle

Jack Holton, Jake Wallace

Jamie Formoy, Trin

Joe Ashmore, Sid

Michael Temporal-Darell, Bello

Dominick Felix, Harry

Hugh Beckwith, Joe

Matthew Duncan, Happy

Haruka Kuroda, Fight Director

Bang! Mozart's volcano erupts in Opera Holland Park’s Così fan tutte

Peter Quantrill, 28th May

Mount Vesuvius looms over Cecilia Stinton’s compelling new production of Così fan tutte.

****1

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.

*****

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Dominic Lowe

Dominic Lowe recently completed a degree in Classics, and one of his great interests is the reception of Greece and Rome in opera. A regular opera-goer since his very early teens, he is particularly keen on the hidden operatic gems of the 19th century. He is largely based in the South of England.

Gold dust: Opera Holland Park makes a convincing case for La fanciulla del West