Dimitri Platanias stands out in a mixed Covent Garden Rigoletto

By David Karlin, 15 December 2017

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“the greatest of all composers to have expressed in music the love of a father for his daughter”

Reviewed at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on 14 December 2017

Verdi, Rigoletto

The Royal Opera

Alexander Joel, Conductor

Sir David McVicar, Director

Michael Vale, Set Designer

Tanya McCallin, Costume Designer

Dimitri Platanias, Rigoletto

Sofia Fomina, Gilda

Michael Fabiano, The Duke of Mantua

Andrea Mastroni, Sparafucile

Nadia Krasteva, Maddalena

Sarah Pring, Giovanna

James Rutherford, Monterone

Simon Shibambu, Count Ceprano

Francesca Chiejina, Countess Ceprano

Luis Gomes, Borsa

Dominic Sedgwick, Marullo

Royal Opera Chorus

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Siegfried at the RBO: Kosky and Pappano surprise and delight

David Karlin, 17th March

A revelatory orchestral performance and a cast led by Andreas Schager, Christopher Maltman and Elisabeth Strid make this a Siegfried for the record books.

*****

Terfel’s craggy Boris Godunov returns to Covent Garden

Mark Pullinger, 29th January

The second revival of Richard Jones' staging of Mussorgsky's original 1869 version of Boris Godunov once again stars the Welsh knight.

****1

Ermonela Jaho returns in triumph to The Royal Opera’s Traviata

Mark Valencia, 8th January

Richard Eyre’s 32-year-old production is rarely out of The Royal Opera’s repertoire for more than a few months at a time, but this particular revival proves very special.

*****

Turandot drowned in an orchestral tsunami at The Royal Opera

David Karlin, 15th December

Andrei Șerban’s 40 year old take on Puccini's tale of the ice princess largely stands the test of time, but Netrebko and Eyvazov are short of their best form.

***11

Handel’s Ariodante returns home to Covent Garden

Roy Westbrook, 9th December

Jetske Mijnssen’s house debut sees Handel’s opera transposed to a modern-day palace, with Emily D'Angelo angelic in the title role.

****1

The Royal Opera stages its first Makropulos Case

Mark Valencia, 4th November

Katie Mitchell wheels out her tired old tropes in The Makropulos Case, redeemed by its musical performances.

***11

More reviews...

David Karlin

David is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.