An unsettling Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk in Oslo

By Aksel Tollåli, 04 April 2016

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“grotesqueness of the humour succeeded in making this already uncomfortable piece even more chilling”

Reviewed at Oslo Opera House, Main Stage, Oslo on 1 April 2016

Shostakovich, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District

Norwegian National Opera

Alejo Pérez, Conductor

Ole Anders Tandberg, Director

Erlend Birkeland, Set Designer

Svetlana Sozdateleva, Katerina Lvovna Izmailova

Alexey Kosarev, Sergey

Kjetil Støa, Zinoviy Borisovich Izmailov

Magne Fremmerlid, Boris Timofeyevich Izmailov

Tone Kummervold, Sonyetka

Knut Skram, Old Convict

Norwegian National Opera Orchestra

Norwegian National Opera Chorus

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A dramatic staging of two Greek myths, Wayne McGregor’s Jocasta’s Line is an epic production for Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, a truly modern and totally original work.

****1

Alone and in love: Christoph Loy’s compelling new Onegin in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 15th February

Chrisoph Loy's new Oslo production of Eugene Onegin only somewhat succeeds in its desire to create a meditation on loneliness, but superb musical performances still make it an utterly compelling piece of music theatre.

****1

Too many doors: Don Giovanni in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 29th May

Despite some dramatic frustrations, at least in Oslo, Jones' production is saved by some truly outstanding singing.

***11

Maybe it’s make-believe: a curious Norma in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 20th January

The first staging of Bellini's Norma in Oslo in over a century is unfortunately hampered by an irritating production, yet some glorious singing does much to rescue the show.

**111

Into the abyss: a harrowing Wozzeck in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 25th November

Christoph Loy's Oslo production of Wozzeck is a dramatic triumph, with gripping performances from a cast led by Audun Iversen's desperate title character.

*****

An underwhelming Barber in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 14th October

François de Carpentries' Oslo production of The Barber of Seville was both unfunny and underwhelming.

**111

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Aksel Tollåli

Aksel is currently studying towards a degree in musicology at the University of Oslo. At the moment he is an exchange student at Goldsmiths College in London. He is also a choral singer and a trombonist. His musical interests include 20th-cenury French music, Baroque opera and the music of Richard Strauss.

They had it coming: An unsettling Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk in Oslo