Bachtrack logo
What's on
All eventsConcertsOperaDanceKids eventsMasterclassesCompetitionsFestivals
Reviews
All reviewsConcert reviewsOpera reviewsDance reviews
Articles
All articlesFeaturesInterviewsOpinionPlaylists
News
Video
Video homeAll videoStreamed eventsConcertsOperaDanceKids eventsMasterclassesPublishers
Site
About usContact usLink to usConditions of useCookiesPrivacy
Young artists
Travel
EventsReviewsArticlesVideo

Alexander Litvinenko at Grange Park Opera: a thrilling – if imperfect – world premiere

By David Karlin, 16 July 2021
Loading, please wait...
See full listing
“an unashamed polemic against the Putin regime”
Reviewed at The Theatre in the Woods, West Horsley on 15 July 2021
Programme
Bolton, The Life and Death of Alexander Litvinenko
Performers
Grange Park Opera
Stephen Barlow, Conductor
Stephen Medcalf, Director
Jamie Vartan, Set Designer, Costume Designer
John Bishop, Lighting Designer
William Duke, Video Design
Adrian Dwyer, Alexander Litvinenko
Rebecca Bottone, Marina Litvinenko
Stephan Loges, Boris Berezovsky
James Laing, Head of KGB
Olivia Ray, Anna Politkovskaya
Edmund Danon, Andrei Lugovoy
Lynne Hockney, Movement Director
BBC Concert Orchestra
More Opera reviews
Grange Park Opera's Ring cycle opens with an excellent Rheingold
Dominic Lowe, 20th June
Launching that most ambitious of endeavours, a Ring cycle, Grange Park Opera's production of Das Rheingold proves a real achievement, led by the superb Alberich of David Stout.
****1
Elin Pritchard leads a fine cast in Grange Park’s Don Carlo revival
Roy Westbrook, 6th June
Jo Davies’ 2016 staging is revived at the Theatre in the Woods, given a bold execution, led by a regal Elisabetta. 
****1
Tavener’s Krishna fails to convince in world premiere
Nick Boston, 4th June
John Tavener’s “mystical pantomime” proves a disappointment, despite strong performances from singers and orchestra in David Pountney’s production. 
***11
Taj Mahal by Nishat Khan premieres at Grange Park Opera
David Karlin, 10th July
Scion of generations of sitar players, Nishat Khan is the perfect person to tell the "greatest love story never told" behind India's most iconic building.
***11
Ukraine matters: Tchaikovsky’s Mazeppa at Grange Park Opera
Roy Westbrook, 14th June
Why is Tchaikovsky’s very fine opera still a rarity outside Russia? David Pountney directs a new production at the Surrey festival. 
****1
Pountney’s vivid Simon Boccanegra at Grange Park Opera
Mark Pullinger, 5th June
Sir David Pountney's 1997 staging for Welsh National Opera is given a welcome new lease of life at Grange Park Opera, splendidly cast... with one major exception. 
****1
More reviews...
Read reviews of
Adrian DwyerAnthony BoltonBBC Concert OrchestraEdmund DanonGrange Park OperaJames LaingJamie VartanJohn BishopLynne HockneyOlivia RayRebecca BottoneStephan LogesStephen BarlowStephen MedcalfWilliam Duke
Related articles
Loading image...
Opera in the blood: Speranza Scappucci
Loading image...
The trumpet shall sound: Marin Alsop on reinventing Handel’s Messiah
Loading image...
Beyond the fever dream: Nadine Sierra reclaims her narrative
Loading image...
Houston Grand Opera names James Gaffigan as next Music Director
More by David Karlin
Loading image...
Monteverdi and Ulisse return happily to Garsington Opera
Loading image...
Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra’s Mahler 5: less than the sum of its parts
Loading image...
Google constrained: UK Markets Authority imposes changes on AI Overviews
Loading image...
Antonia Bembo’s Ercole amante wins hearts at the Opéra de Paris
David Karlin
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.