Gianni Schicchi delights the Edinburgh Fringe

By David Smythe, 21 August 2014

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Reviewed at St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh on 20 August 2014

Puccini, Gianni Schicchi

Opera Bohemia

Tom Cooper, Director

Magnus Popplewell, Set Designer

Deborah Rudden, Lauretta

Catriona Clark, Nella

Shuna Scott Sendall, La Ciesca

Cheryl Forbes, Zita

Adam Magee, Gherardo

Andrew Dickinson, Rinuccio

Andrew McTaggart, Gianni Schicchi

Nicholas Cowie, Marco

Christopher Nairne, Betto di Signa

Alan Watt, Maestro Spinelloccio

James Arthur, Simone

Amy Piggot, Gherardino

A fun-packed Falstaff from Opera Bohemia

David Smythe, 23rd August

Opera Bohemia provides a fun-filled showcase for Conservatoire graduates in a finely sung Falstaff heading for the Edinburgh Fringe with a small orchestra.

****1

Butterfly brings a flutter of excitement to the Fringe

David Smythe, 24th August

Only a piano and violin accompany this well-sung pocket Madame Butterfly from Opera Bohemia at the Edinburgh Fringe, which works surprisingly well.

***11

Asmik Grigorian strengthens the Met’s revival of Eugene Onegin

Susan Stempleski, 20th April

The Lithuanian soprano’s riveting performance as the central character in Tchaikovsky’s operatic masterpiece lights up Deborah Warner’s mostly bland production.

****1

At half mast: Simon Boccanegra revived in Vienna

Orsolya Gyárfás, 19th April

Marco Armiliato's conducting thrills and Federica Lombardi's radiant Amelia stands out in the Wiener Staatsoper's latest revival of Simon Boccanegra.

***11

Anna Netrebko shines in Vienna’s timeless Tosca

Laura Servidei, 18th April

In a world where opera productions often stray into the abstract, the Wiener Staatsoper’s Tosca offers a refreshing return to tradition – and Anna Netrebko delivers a splendid performance.

****1

Weinberg’s The Passenger at Dutch National Opera

Clare Varney, 17th April

Tobias Kratzer's 2024 Munich production makes its way to Amsterdam, proving that Weinberg's opera has the power to transfix.

****1

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David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.

Seriously high mischief: Gianni Schicchi is an Edinburgh Fringe delight