McVicar 's Rigoletto travels to the Savonlinna Festival

By Dominic Lowe, 12 July 2017

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“Keep a watchful eye: Takala is a singer worth travelling to see”

Reviewed at Olavinlinna Castle, Savonlinna on 10 July 2017

Verdi, Rigoletto

Philippe Auguin, Conductor

Sir David McVicar, Director

Tanya McCallin, Set Designer

Kiril Manolov, Rigoletto

Tuuli Takala, Gilda

Ramë Lahaj, The Duke of Mantua

Mika Kares, Sparafucile

Katarina Giotas, Maddalena

Merja Mäkelä, Giovanna

Mikko Järviluoto, Count Ceprano

Juha Riihimäki, Borsa

Juha Pikkarainen, Monterone

Jussi Merikanto, Marullo

Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir

Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra

The Ring returns to the Rhine: Götterdämmerung at La Scala

Laura Servidei, 1st February

Under Alexander Soddy’s powerful conducting and Sir David McVicar’s dark, evocative staging, the Ring finds a searing conclusion, anchored by a powerful Brünnhilde from Camilla Nylund, as the world burns.

*****

Sir David McVicar’s psychologically driven Salome arrives in Chicago

Graham Meyer, 25th January

Revived at Lyric Opera of Chicago, the notorious opera director’s take stirs sympathy for Salome, but leans on some of his theatrical hobby-horses

****1

The Magic Flute returns in triumph to the Royal Opera House

Christopher Woodley, 10th October

Sir David McVicar's classic staging of The Magic Flute, now over 20 years old, shines afresh in a stylish performance conducted by Marie Jacquot, making her Covent Garden debut.

****1

Siobhan Stagg leads a strong Marriage of Figaro revival in Sydney

Sandra Bowdler, 31st July

Siobhan Stagg is an outstanding Susanna in a strongly cast and well produced Marriage of Figaro at the Sydney Opera House

****1

Klaus Florian Vogt a successful Siegfried at La Scala

Laura Servidei, 21st June

McVicar’s most successful Ring chapter yet: Siegfried convinces with beautiful imagery and a stellar cast, with Alexander Soddy at the baton.

****1

Faust at The Royal Opera: competent but uninspiring

David Karlin, 23rd May

Stripped of its original superstar casting, Gounod’s grand opera provides entertainment but fails to cohere.

***11

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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.

McVicar brings his inimitable vision of Rigoletto to the Savonlinna Festival