Into the Woods, Australian style

By Paul Selar, 24 July 2014

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

Reviewed at Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne on 22 July 2014

Sondheim, Into the Woods

Stuart Maunder, Director

Queenie Van de Zandt, Vocals

Matthew McFarlane, Vocals

Jeremy Kleeman, Vocals

David Harris, Vocals

Christina O'Neill, Vocals

Melissa Langton, Vocals

John Diedrich, Vocals

Victorian Opera

Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio updated for Melbourne

Sandra Bowdler, 12th August

Director Constantine Costi updates the action of Mozart's Singspiel to a secluded cross between a cult headquarters and a nightclub.

***11

Victorian Opera brings La Cenerentola to Tasmania

Sandra Bowdler, 25th November

A single performance of Rossini's Cinderella story in Launceston, Tasmania was an unmitigated delight, with a sparkling cast of international performers.

****1

A compelling Parsifal from Victorian Opera in Melbourne

Brian Angus, 20th February

The Australian Youth Orchestra was full of poise and maturity and all the singing was impressive in Roger Hodgman's production.

*****

Victorian youth breeze through nonsense opera

Patricia Maunder, 30th September

Through youth, technology and playfulness, Victorian Opera's production of Gertrude Stein's avant-garde curiosity becomes a refreshing look into the future.

***11

Borrowed plumes: a new pastiche Baroque opera

David Larkin, 22nd February

A new pastiche opera, Voyage to the Moon offers a collection of Baroque arias and ensembles woven into a retelling of the Orlando story.

****1

Pratt and Albelo a dream bel canto partnership

Simon Holden, 2nd July

The role of Elvira in Bellini's I puritani requires every weapon in the bel canto soprano's armoury: Jessica Pratt has it all!

****1

More reviews...

Paul Selar

Also known as 'OperaChaser', Paul's passion for attending opera in performance spans 30 years. With a background in architecture and an unstoppable need to travel, Paul's foray into the world of reviewing started as Opera Australia's inaugural Critic-in-Training. He currently blogs at operachaser.blogspot.com.au.

Victorian Opera wanders Into the Woods with Sondheim