A mafioso Merry Widow at Opera Holland Park

Alex Otterburn (Danilo)

Paula Sides (Hanna Glawari)

Rhian Lois (Valentina)

Henry Waddington ("Don" Zeta) and Rhian Lois (Valentina)

By Dominic Lowe, 21 June 2025

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“tonally discordant.”

Reviewed at Holland Park Theatre, London on 19 June 2025

Lehár, Die lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow)

Opera Holland Park

Stuart Stratford, Conductor

John Savournin, Director

takis, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Ben Pickersgill, Lighting Designer

The Orchestra of Scottish Opera

Scottish Opera Chorus

Paula Sides, Hanna Glawari

Alex Otterburn, Count Danilo Danilovich

Henry Waddington, Baron Mirko Zeta

Rhian Lois, Valencienne

William Morgan, Camille de Rosillon

Connor James Smith, Raoul de St Brioche

Christopher Nairne, Vicomte Cascada

Matthew Siveter, Kromow

Amy J Payne, Olga

Jonathan Forbes Kennedy, Bogdanovich

Francis Church, Pritschitsch

Ellie Neate, Sylviane

Roisin Lavery, Praskowia

Matthew Kellett, Njegus

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

Mark Valencia, 18th July

Cecilia Stinton’s new production of Lucia di Lammermoor doesn't necessarily make best use of OHP’s performance space, but the singers excel.

***11

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

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Dominic Lowe

Dominic Lowe recently completed a degree in Classics, and one of his great interests is the reception of Greece and Rome in opera. A regular opera-goer since his very early teens, he is particularly keen on the hidden operatic gems of the 19th century. He is largely based in the South of England.