Starkly powerful Jephtha at Dutch National Opera

By Jenny Camilleri, 10 November 2016

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“Mehta sang breathtakingly, pouring out caramel swirls of coloratura”

Reviewed at Dutch National Opera and Ballet, Amsterdam on 9 November 2016

Handel, Jephtha

Dutch National Opera

Ivor Bolton, Conductor

Claus Guth, Director

Katrin Lea Tag, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Richard Croft, Jephtha

Wiebke Lehmkuhl, Storgé

Anna Prohaska, Iphis

Bejun Mehta, Hamor

Florian Boesch, Zebul

Ana Quintans, Angel

Chorus of Dutch National Opera

Concerto Köln

Sommer Ulrickson, Choreography

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Dutch National Ballet's new production of La Bayadère does away with the ballet’s problematic gestures and movements, allowing the choreography to truly shine.

****1

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Clare Varney, 6th March

British singers Mary Bevan and Roderick Williams lead the cast in Dutch National Opera’s latest ground-breaking opera, merging live music with pre-recorded film and electronics.

****1

Dutch National Ballet brings much needed heat to this winter season

Mark Vicente, 10th February

The Dutch National Ballet helped shake off those winter blues with a mixed programme that highlighted ballet’s love affair with Latin rhythms and movement.

****1

Semele at Dutch National Opera: myth, desire and fantasy

Mengguang Huang, 23rd January

Guth’s Semele turns myth into a contemporary domestic drama, where desire becomes obsession and illusion consumes reality. Handel’s music remains the true engine, driven by a thrilling, physically intense ensemble.

****1

Dutch National Ballet's Program B is the A+ Program in New York

Ivy Lin, 21st November

Dutch National Ballet's second mixed bill at New York City Center ticked all the right boxes, showcasing the depth of talent across the whole company.

*****

Dutch National Ballet's opener in New York: meandering and unfocused

Ivy Lin, 20th November

Dutch National Ballet returning to New York after more than 40 years should have been thrilling. The opening program, whilst beautifully danced, was somewhat muted.

***11

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Jenny Camilleri

After completing her postgraduate studies in psychology at the University of Toronto, Jenny moved to Amsterdam, where she enjoys singing in amateur choirs. She loves all genres of classical vocal music, especially nineteenth and early twentieth century Italian and German opera and art songs.