Tension accumulates in Handel’s Tamerlano at The Grange Festival

Raffaele Pe (Tamerlano)

Tamerlano at The Grange Festival

Sophie Bevan (Asteria), Paul Nilon (Bajazet) and Raffaele Pe (Tamerlano)

By David Truslove, 12 June 2022

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“Italian countertenor Raffaele Pe consistently held the ear and eye”

Reviewed at The Grange, Alresford on 10 June 2022

Handel, Tamerlano

The Grange Festival

Robert Howarth, Conductor

Daniel Slater, Director

Robert Innes Hopkins, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Johanna Town, Lighting Designer

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Raffaele Pe, Tamerlano

Paul Nilon, Bajazet

Sophie Bevan, Asteria

Patrick Terry, Andronico

Angharad Lyddon, Irene

Stuart Orme, Leone

Die Fledermaus at The Grange: Cabaret meets G&S

David Karlin, 20th June

A fine singing cast gives creditable performances in Johann Stauss II's most famous operetta, but Paul Curran's updating of Act 2 to 1930s Berlin takes the fizz out of the Champagne.

***11

The Rake's Progress at The Grange: richly entertaining

David Karlin, 23rd June

Singing performances are excellent, the staging is well crafted and Stravinsky's eclectic score entertains from start to finish. But it's an evening's opera that doesn't touch the soul.

****1

L’incoronazione di Poppea vividly brought to life at the Grange

David Truslove, 7th June

Terrific music making with a light directorial touch brings mixed results to Monteverdi's 1643 masterpiece.

***11

Obsession at The Grange: The Queen of Spades

David Karlin, 23rd June

In a setting that might be The Grange itself, a production which steadily tightens its grip until a blistering finish.

*****

A stylish Così fan tutte at The Grange Festival

David Truslove, 16th June

Entertainment ideal for country house opera-goers, enhanced by some fine singing and excellent playing from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

****1

Kilts in the library: Macbeth opens The Grange Festival

Dominic Lowe, 9th June

Murder in the library? No, this isn't a re-run of Poirot, but a new production of Verdi's Macbeth to open The Grange Festival's 2022 season.

***11

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David Truslove

After many years as a musician – conducting choirs, singing as a lay clerk at Winchester Cathedral and an involvement in education, David now writes programme notes, occasionally composes and enjoys a busy schedule of reviewing.