Privilege begets privilege: Figaro in Oslo

By Aksel Tollåli, 16 June 2016

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“Strassberger showed a penchant for highlighting the cruelty inherent in the score”

Reviewed at Oslo Opera House, Main Stage, Oslo on 13 June 2016

Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)

Norwegian National Opera

Rinaldo Alessandrini, Conductor

Thaddeus Strassberger, Director

Kevin Knight, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Yngve André Søberg, Figaro

Kari Ulfsnes Kleiven, Susanna

Espen Langvik, Count Almaviva

Nicole Heaston, Countess Almaviva

Ingeborg Gillebo, Cherubino

Ketil Hugaas, Doctor Bartolo

Ingebjørg Kosmo, Marcellina

Helge Rønning, Don Basilio

Petter Moen, Don Curzio

Øystein Skre, Antonio

Vigdis Unsgård, Barbarina

Norwegian National Opera Orchestra

Norwegian National Opera Chorus

Heidi Bruun Nedregaard, Revival Director

Wayne McGregor’s Jocasta’s Line offers powerful performances

Maggie Foyer, 13th September

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

More reviews...

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.

Privilege begets privilege: The Marriage of Figaro in Oslo