Heritage Opera present Jonathan Dove's new opera, Mansfield Park

By Laura Kate Wilson, 08 August 2011

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

Reviewed at Temple Newsam, Leeds on 6 August 2011

Dove, Mansfield Park

Heritage Opera

Serenna Wagner, Fanny Price

Nuala Willis, Lady Bertram

John Rawnsley, Sir Thomas Bertram

Thomas Eaglen, Edmund Bertram

Eloise Routledge, Maria Bertram

Paloma Bruce, Julia Bertram

Birgit Rohowska, Aunt Norris

Sarah Helsby Hughes, Mary Crawford

Nick Sales, Henry Crawford

Robin Green, Mr Rushworth

Rigoletto at Skipton Town Hall shows Heritage Opera at its best

Richard Wilcocks, 14th April

Some panache is required to put a credible orgy on the stage of venerable old Skipton Town Hall. Heritage Opera, which has plenty, does just that with a minimal number of participants: the opening scene has an engagingly rumbustious quality, with plenty of screams, snogging and groping but not much of the courtly elegance which might signify that this is more than your run-of-the-mill bordello.

****1

Romeo Castellucci directs a new Pelléas et Mélisande at La Scala

Laura Servidei, 26th April

The Italian director makes his long-awaited Italian operatic debut at the Teatro alla Scala in a production which perfectly mirrors Debussy’s most enigmatic creation.

****1

Chiaroscuro extinguished: a self-indulgent Poppea in Copenhagen

Mengguang Huang, 26th April

Christoph Marthaler’s staging of Monteverdi’s Poppea for the Royal Danish Opera is a study in boredom.

**111

Lepage’s Bluebeard and Erwartung pairing remains compelling theatre

John Gilks, 25th April

Some 30 years after its first appearance, Robert Lepage’s double bill of Duke Bluebeards Castle and Erwartung is still strikingly effective and very modern-looking music theatre.

*****

Wretches like us: the LPO’s concert Wozzeck cuts to the quick

Peter Quantrill, 25th April

Beautifully prepared singing and playing brings out the tender side to Berg's modernist classic as part of the Southbank Centre’s Multitudes festival.

****1

Trojan’s Carousel: a magical night of dreams come true in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 23rd April

A vintage opera at the National Theatre offers charming adventures for children and musical sophistication for adults.

*****

More reviews...

Laura Kate Wilson

Laura has an MA in English from the University of St Andrews, and has worked as a features writer and a freelance reviewer. She is fascinated by all aspects of opera, but has a particular interest in the role of the baritone on the operatic stage and a passion for the works of Puccini.