Jungle drums beating true

By Charlotte Valori, 14 July 2016

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Reviewed at Iford Manor, Bradford on Avon on 9 July 2016

Mozart, Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

Charles Court Opera

David Eaton, Conductor

John Savournin, Director

Simon Bejer, Set Designer

Claire Lees, Pamina

Hannah Sawle, Queen of the Night

Matthew Kellett, Papageno

Benjamin Cahn, Sarastro

John-Colyn Gyeantey, Tamino

Catrine Kirkman, First Lady, Papagena

Lucinda Stuart-Grant, Second Lady

Amy J Payne, Third Lady

Joseph Shovelton, Monostatos

Nicholas Holdridge, Lighting Designer

Orchestra of Charles Court Opera

The darker side of G&S: Yeomen of the Guard at Holland Park

David Karlin, 7th August

Some good singing performances can't overcome a dated feeling of Gilbert's humour: the evening improves as the storm clouds gather.

**111

HMS Pinafore at OHP: infernal nonsense of the best kind

Mark Valencia, 9th August

It’s a risky business to describe comic nuance or timing, so please take my word that these qualities were as pitch-perfect as the vocal prowess on display.

****1

A musical joy and a comical hoot: The Pirates of Penzance at OHP

Mark Valencia, 7th August

John Savournin directs Opera Holland Park's end-of-term G&S romp.

*****

Always a bridesmaid: Charles Court Opera's Ruddigore

Charlotte Valori, 18th February

Ruddigore is a glorious comic romp through a very English country village, full of wonderfully awkward Edwardian love and delicious puns. Whatever your Valentine experience this year, you can't help but be swept up in it.

***11

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

Lampooning the law: Scottish Opera’s satirical new double bill

David Smythe, 14th May

Scottish Opera’s double bill of Trial by Jury and the world premiere of Toby Hession’s fun-packed A Matter of Misconduct! features an ensemble cast, mostly of Emerging Artists.

****1

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Charlotte Valori

Charlotte Valori read Classics at Christ Church, Oxford. As a classicist, her main interest is Greek tragedy and its reception by later cultures, which has led to a continuing passion for theatre and opera. Charlotte reviews for several online magazines, and won the Bachtrack Opera Award 2015 for Best Written English Review. Follow her on Twitter @operissima.

Jungle drums beating true: Mozart's Magic Flute at Iford