HMS Pinafore at OHP: infernal nonsense of the best kind

Peter Kirk (Ralph Rackstraw) and the Opera Holland Park Chorus

Lucy Schaufer (Mrs Cripps) and John Savournin (Captain Corcoran)

John Savournin (Captain Corcoran) and Richard Burkhard (Sir Joseph Porter)

By Mark Valencia, 12 August 2022

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“Her scenes are blissful: exquisitely sung, perfectly enunciated and genuinely touching”

Reviewed at Holland Park Theatre, London on 9 August 2022

Sullivan, HMS Pinafore

Opera Holland Park

David Eaton, Conductor

John Savournin, Director, Captain Corcoran

Madeleine Boyd, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Jake Wiltshire, Lighting Designer

City of London Sinfonia

Opera Holland Park Chorus

Richard Burkhard, Sir Joseph Porter

Peter Kirk, Ralph Rackstraw

Frederick Long, Dick Deadeye

Themba Mvula, Bill Bobstay

Peter Lidbetter, Bob Becket

Llio Evans, Josephine

Sophie Dicks, Hebe

Lucy Schaufer, Mrs Cripps (Little Buttercup)

Charles Court Opera

David Hulston, Choreography

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

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

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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.

HMS Pinafore at Opera Holland Park: infernal nonsense of the best kind