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The value of Nothing: a dark operatic thriller at Glyndebourne

By Mark Pullinger, 29 February 2016
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“catchy anthems... really groove and the boys’ gang flex their muscles with a Bernstein-like swagger”
Reviewed at Glyndebourne Opera House, Glyndebourne on 27 February 2016
Programme
Bruce, Nothing
Performers
Glyndebourne Youth Opera
Sian Edwards, Conductor
Bijan Sheibani, Director
Stuart Jackson, Pierre
Tristan Hambleton, Karl
Marta Fontanals-Simmons, Ursula
Robyn Allegra Parton, Agnes
James Hall, Johan
Southbank Sinfonia
More Opera reviews
Community Chorus is star of the show in Glyndebourne's Agreed
Nick Boston, 1st March

Impressive performances from a 75-strong community chorus in a watery tale of love, loss and divided lands at Glyndebourne.

***11
Pintscher's reflection on Shakespearean metamorphoses
James Imam, 21st August
In a study of shifting form, tonight's dedication to the bard paired Mendelssohn's incidental music to the play with another work inspired by The Metamorphoses: Matthias Pintscher's mesmerising Reflections on Narcissus.
***11
Through His Teeth: A Faustian deal
Levi White, 3rd April
Through His Teeth is a gripping psychological drama. Bedford was commissioned by the Royal Opera House to write a piece on the subject of Faust, to run alongside the star-studded performances of Gounod’s opera on the main stage. Heartily recommended to anybody in need of an evening of modern drama and violence.
****1
Asmik Grigorian strengthens the Met’s revival of Eugene Onegin
Susan Stempleski, 20th April

The Lithuanian soprano’s riveting performance as the central character in Tchaikovsky’s operatic masterpiece lights up Deborah Warner’s mostly bland production.

****1
At half mast: Simon Boccanegra revived in Vienna
Orsolya Gyárfás, 19th April
Marco Armiliato's conducting thrills and Federica Lombardi's radiant Amelia stands out in the Wiener Staatsoper's latest revival of Simon Boccanegra.
***11
Anna Netrebko shines in Vienna’s timeless Tosca
Laura Servidei, 18th April

In a world where opera productions often stray into the abstract, the Wiener Staatsoper’s Tosca offers a refreshing return to tradition – and Anna Netrebko delivers a splendid performance. 

****1
More reviews...
Read reviews of
Bijan SheibaniDavid BruceGlyndebourne Youth OperaJames HallMarta Fontanals-SimmonsRobyn Allegra PartonSian EdwardsSouthbank SinfoniaStuart JacksonTristan Hambleton
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Mark Pullinger
Mark Pullinger
Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.