Agrippina triumphs at The Grange Festival

Anna Bonitatibus (Agrippina)

Stefanie True (Poppea) and Raffaele Pè (Nerone)

Raffaele Pè (Nerone), James Hall (Narciso), Alex Otterburn (Pallante), Anna Bonitatibus (Agrippina)

Raffaele Pè (Nerone)

By David Truslove, 11 June 2018

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“This gyrating, leather-clad monster could seduce and strut like nobody’s business”

Reviewed at The Grange, Alresford on 8 June 2018

Handel, Agrippina

The Grange Festival

Robert Howarth, Conductor

Walter Sutcliffe, Director

Jon Bausor, Set Designer

Anna Bonitatibus, Agrippina

Raffaele Pe, Nerone

Stefanie True, Poppea

Christopher Ainslie, Ottone

Jonathan Best, Lesbo

Ashley Riches, Claudio

Alex Otterburn, Pallante

James Hall, Narciso

Academy of Ancient Music

Die Fledermaus at The Grange: Cabaret meets G&S

David Karlin, 20th June

A fine singing cast gives creditable performances in Johann Stauss II's most famous operetta, but Paul Curran's updating of Act 2 to 1930s Berlin takes the fizz out of the Champagne.

***11

The Rake's Progress at The Grange: richly entertaining

David Karlin, 23rd June

Singing performances are excellent, the staging is well crafted and Stravinsky's eclectic score entertains from start to finish. But it's an evening's opera that doesn't touch the soul.

****1

L’incoronazione di Poppea vividly brought to life at the Grange

David Truslove, 7th June

Terrific music making with a light directorial touch brings mixed results to Monteverdi's 1643 masterpiece.

***11

Obsession at The Grange: The Queen of Spades

David Karlin, 23rd June

In a setting that might be The Grange itself, a production which steadily tightens its grip until a blistering finish.

*****

A stylish Così fan tutte at The Grange Festival

David Truslove, 16th June

Entertainment ideal for country house opera-goers, enhanced by some fine singing and excellent playing from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

****1

Tension accumulates in Handel’s Tamerlano at The Grange Festival

David Truslove, 10th June

Some exceptional singing intermittently enlivens Daniel Slater's production which, dramatically and emotionally, takes time to ignite.

***11

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David Truslove

After many years as a musician – conducting choirs, singing as a lay clerk at Winchester Cathedral and an involvement in education, David now writes programme notes, occasionally composes and enjoys a busy schedule of reviewing.