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

By David Karlin, 16 July 2021
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“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
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
A confusing operatic take on The Tempest at Grange Park Opera
Nick Boston, 11th July
Strong vocal and orchestral performances, supported by impressive visuals, struggle to bring coherency to Anthony Bolton's Island of Dreams at Grange Park Opera.
***11
An impressive, minimalist Kátya Kabanová at Grange Park Opera
David Karlin, 27th June
A memorable performance, with Stephen Barlow conducting Janáček’s remarkable score with vividness and clarity, while David Alden's staging is a masterpiece of "less is more". 
****1
Aleko on the Arno: Bryn Terfel leads fine new GPO double bill
Roy Westbrook, 6th June

An unlikely pairing opens Grange Park Opera's season, the two works united by the dominant central character of each opera – Sir Bryn Terfel.

****1
More reviews...
Read reviews of
Adrian DwyerAnthony BoltonBBC Concert OrchestraEdmund DanonGrange Park OperaJames LaingJamie VartanJohn BishopLynne HockneyOlivia RayRebecca BottoneStephan LogesStephen BarlowStephen MedcalfWilliam Duke
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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.