Tosca’s kiss in Kensington: a superb revival at Opera Holland Park

Amanda Echalaz (Tosca) and Morgan Pearse (Scarpia)

Morgan Pearse (Scarpia) and chorus

Amanda Echalaz (Tosca)

José de Eça (Cavaradossi)

Amanda Echalaz (Tosca)

By Roy Westbrook, 29 May 2024

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“an immolation scene worthy of Götterdammerung”

Reviewed at Holland Park Theatre, London on 28 May 2024

Puccini, Tosca

Opera Holland Park

Matthew Kofi Waldren, Conductor

Stephen Barlow, Director

Yannis Thavoris, Set Designer, Costume Designer

City of London Sinfonia

Opera Holland Park Chorus

Amanda Echalaz, Floria Tosca

José de Eça, Mario Cavaradossi

Morgan Pearse, Baron Scarpia

Edwin Kaye, Cesare Angelotti

Ross Ramgobin, Sacristan

Phillip Costovski, Spoletta

Alex Jones, Sciarrone

Jack Holton, A Jailer

Students of Cardinal Vaughan School

Born to sing Lucia: Jennifer France shines at Opera Holland Park

Mark Valencia, 18th July

Cecilia Stinton’s new production of Lucia di Lammermoor doesn't necessarily make best use of OHP’s performance space, but the singers excel.

***11

A mafioso Merry Widow at Opera Holland Park

Dominic Lowe, 19th June

Despite some excellent music-making, John Savournin's production is hindered by a laboured New York relocation.

**111

Jonathan Dove’s Itch at Opera Holland Park

David Karlin, 3rd June

Simon Mayo’s Young Adult novels are turned into an operatic romp which explores the fascination of the elements with excellent music and setting, albeit riddled with plot lacunae.

****1

Doomed Dutchman wants a wife: Wagner makes Opera Holland Park debut

Eleanor Knight, 27th May

Amid the rough winds of late May, Julia Burbach directs Opera Holland Park's first venture into Wagner – The Flying Dutchman.

***11

Trapped in a vice: Il segreto di Susanna and Pagliacci at OHP

Dominic Lowe, 17th July

Joining OHP's 2019 production of Wolf-Ferrari's charming domestic comedy, a blazing new production of Pagliacci delivers everything that one could want from Leoncavallo's infamous opera.

*****

Puccini's Edgar makes a rare appearance at Opera Holland Park

Dominic Lowe, 2nd July

Is Puccini's second opera unloved and unlovable? Opera Holland Park makes a commendable attempt to revive Edgar, but struggles to overcome its many flaws.

***11

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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.