Viennese splendour in Garsington’s Rosenkavalier revival

Niamh O'Sullivan (Octavian), Matilda Sterby (the Marschallin) and Andreas Bauer Kanabas (Baron Ochs)

Soraya Mafi (Sophie) and Niamh O'Sullivan (Octavian)

Andreas Bauer Kanabas (Baron Ochs) and ensemble

Matilda Sterby (the Marschallin)

By Roy Westbrook, 29 May 2026

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“Gary McCann’s designs serve this complex work well, as does the lighting of them by Malcolm Rippeth”

Reviewed at Garsington Opera, High Wycombe on 28 May 2026

Strauss R., Der Rosenkavalier

Garsington Opera

Finnegan Downie Dear, Conductor

Bruno Ravella, Director

Gary McCann, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Malcolm Rippeth, Lighting Designer

Philharmonia Orchestra

Garsington Opera Chorus

Matilda Sterby, Feldmarschallin

Niamh O'Sullivan, Octavian

Andreas Bauer Kanabas, Baron Ochs

Soraya Mafi, Sophie

Ben McAteer, Herr von Faninal

Gweneth-Ann Rand, Marianne

Robert Murray, Valzacchi

Siân Griffiths, Annina

Egor Zhuravskii, Italian Singer

Simon Wilding, Police inspector

Garsington Opera Children's Chorus

Garsington’s new La traviata ticks every musical and dramatic box

David Karlin, 27th May

Music Director Douglas Boyd conducts a performance of exceptional musical quality, and Louisa Muller's uncontroversial but passionate direction makes this Traviata one for the ages.

*****

A radically trad Fidelio at Garsington

Peter Quantrill, 27th June

Simple solutions prove the best in Beethoven's "problem" opera as John Cox's staging is revived at Garsington.

****1

Ravishing Rodelinda: Handel al fresco at Garsington Opera

Roy Westbrook, 13th June

Ruth Knight untangles Handel's Rodelinda, directing a new staging at Garsington which features a feast of fine singing.

****1

Three card trick: compelling new Queen of Spades at Garsington

Roy Westbrook, 29th May

Jack Furness directs a terrific new Queen of Spades at Garsington – haunting and harrowing.

****1

Garsington’s L’elisir d’amore: Dr Feelgood wins the day

David Karlin, 28th May

Simon Higlett’s exquisite sets and costumes give a backdrop to Donizetti’s frothiest of rom-coms.

****1

Madcap comedy from Verdi: Un giorno di regno at Garsington

David Karlin, 29th June

Christopher Alden, Chris Hopkins and an excellent cast send us a comic roller coaster ride with Verdi’s ultra-rarely performed second opera.

*****

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Roy Westbrook

Roy Westbrook gained a diploma in music history at London University (Morley College) and was for some years the head of music day schools at Oxford University, where he also led music summer schools. After some years leading the University's business school he has returned to music teaching and writing, and recently took part in the Arts in Residence courses on Bruckner, Mahler and Bach He is co-author (with Terry Barfoot) of a history of opera, and has taught day schools on Sibelius in Oxford and elsewhere.

Viennese splendour in Garsington Opera’s Rosenkavalier revival