Puccini's La Rondine: romantic opera without tears

By David Karlin, 06 July 2011

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

Reviewed at Holland Park Theatre, London on 5 July 2011

Puccini, La rondine

Peter Selwyn, Conductor

Tom Hawkes, Director

Peter Rice, Set Designer

Kate Ladner, Magda

Seán Ruane, Ruggero

Hye-Youn Lee, Lisette

Hal Cazalet, Prunier

Nicholas Todorovic, Rambaldo

Henry Grant Kerswell, Périchaud

Maciek O'Shea, Crébillon

Patrick Mundy, Gobin

Sarah Minns, Bianca

Olivia Ray, Suzy

Stephanie Bodsworth, Yvette

Anna Patalong, A voice

The triumph of virtue: Rossini’s Cenerentola in Brisbane

Sandra Bowdler, 29th April

Margarita Gritskova leads a fine ensemble performance of Rossini’s most under-appreciated opera by Opera Queensland.

****1

Grigolo shines in a mixed new Roméo et Juliette at the Opera di Roma

Pia Maltri, 28th April

With its 1940s setting, Luca Del Fusco’s direction alienates in a new production of Gounod's Shakespeare-inspired opera.

***11

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

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

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

More reviews...

David Karlin

David is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.