Death-devoted duo: a superb Tristan und Isolde at Grange Park Opera

Rachel Nicholls (Isolde)

Rachel Nicholls (Isolde) and Gwyn Hughes Jones (Tristan)

Matthew Rose (King Marke) and Gwyn Hughes Jones (Tristan)

Rachel Nicholls (Isolde) and Christine Rice (Brangäne)

David Stout (Kurwenal) and Gwyn Hughes Jones (Tristan)

Gwyn Hughes Jones (Tristan) and Rachel Nicholls (Isolde)

By Roy Westbrook, 09 June 2023

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“sublimity subjugates the sublunary, Eros yields to Thanatos”

Reviewed at The Theatre in the Woods, West Horsley on 8 June 2023

Wagner, Tristan und Isolde

Grange Park Opera

Stephen Barlow, Conductor

Charles Edwards, Director, Set Designer

Gabrielle Dalton, Costume Designer

Tim Mitchell, Lighting Designer

The Gascoigne Orchestra

Rachel Nicholls, Isolde

Gwyn Hughes Jones, Tristan

Matthew Rose, King Marke

David Stout, Kurwenal

Mark Le Brocq, Melot, Young seaman

Christine Rice, Brangäne

Sam Utley, Shepherd

Thomas Isherwood, Helmsman

Taj Mahal by Nishat Khan premieres at Grange Park Opera

David Karlin, 10th July

Scion of generations of sitar players, Nishat Khan is the perfect person to tell the "greatest love story never told" behind India's most iconic building.

***11

Ukraine matters: Tchaikovsky’s Mazeppa at Grange Park Opera

Roy Westbrook, 14th June

Why is Tchaikovsky’s very fine opera still a rarity outside Russia? David Pountney directs a new production at the Surrey festival.

****1

Pountney’s vivid Simon Boccanegra at Grange Park Opera

Mark Pullinger, 5th June

Sir David Pountney's 1997 staging for Welsh National Opera is given a welcome new lease of life at Grange Park Opera, splendidly cast... with one major exception.

****1

A confusing operatic take on The Tempest at Grange Park Opera

Nick Boston, 11th July

Strong vocal and orchestral performances, supported by impressive visuals, struggle to bring coherency to Anthony Bolton's Island of Dreams at Grange Park Opera.

***11

An impressive, minimalist Kátya Kabanová at Grange Park Opera

David Karlin, 27th June

A memorable performance, with Stephen Barlow conducting Janáček’s remarkable score with vividness and clarity, while David Alden's staging is a masterpiece of "less is more".

****1

Aleko on the Arno: Bryn Terfel leads fine new GPO double bill

Roy Westbrook, 6th June

An unlikely pairing opens Grange Park Opera's season, the two works united by the dominant central character of each opera – Sir Bryn Terfel.

****1

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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.

Death-devoted duo: a superb new Tristan und Isolde at Grange Park Opera