Born to sing Lucia: Jennifer France shines at Opera Holland Park

Jennifer France (Lucia)

Tabitha Ryenolds (Ghost) and Jennifer France (Lucia)

José de Eça (Edgardo) and Jennifer France (Lucia)

Morgan Pearse (Enrico)

By Mark Valencia, 20 July 2025

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“Jennifer France... sang with the bel-est of bel canto glory”

Reviewed at Holland Park Theatre, London on 18 July 2025

Donizetti, Lucia di Lammermoor

Opera Holland Park

Michael Papadopoulos, Conductor

Cecilia Stinton, Director

Neil Irish, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Tim van 't Hof, Lighting Designer

City of London Sinfonia

Opera Holland Park Chorus

Jennifer France, Lucia

Morgan Pearse, Enrico

José de Eça, Edgardo

Blaise Malaba, Raimondo

Joseph Buckmaster, Arturo

David Webb, Normanno

Ellen Pearson, Alisa

Tabitha Reynolds, Actor

A mafioso Merry Widow at Opera Holland Park

Dominic Lowe, 19th June

Despite some excellent music-making, John Savournin's production is hindered by a laboured New York relocation.

**111

Jonathan Dove’s Itch at Opera Holland Park

David Karlin, 3rd June

Simon Mayo’s Young Adult novels are turned into an operatic romp which explores the fascination of the elements with excellent music and setting, albeit riddled with plot lacunae.

****1

Doomed Dutchman wants a wife: Wagner makes Opera Holland Park debut

Eleanor Knight, 27th May

Amid the rough winds of late May, Julia Burbach directs Opera Holland Park's first venture into Wagner – The Flying Dutchman.

***11

Trapped in a vice: Il segreto di Susanna and Pagliacci at OHP

Dominic Lowe, 17th July

Joining OHP's 2019 production of Wolf-Ferrari's charming domestic comedy, a blazing new production of Pagliacci delivers everything that one could want from Leoncavallo's infamous opera.

*****

Puccini's Edgar makes a rare appearance at Opera Holland Park

Dominic Lowe, 2nd July

Is Puccini's second opera unloved and unlovable? Opera Holland Park makes a commendable attempt to revive Edgar, but struggles to overcome its many flaws.

***11

Cecilia Stinton directs a delightful new Barbiere at OHP

Dominic Lowe, 4th June

Deftly conducted by Charlotte Corderoy, Cecilia Stinton's new production of Rossini's immortal comedy brims with fun.

****1

More reviews...

Mark Valencia

Mark has worked in arts journalism for four decades, both as a writer and as a French-English translator. Nowadays he focuses his energies on reviewing opera and music. Mark also writes for Opera magazine and for Musical America as a correspondent for Europe and the UK.

Born to sing Lucia: Jennifer France shines in Opera Holland Park’s new staging