Edward Gardner conducts a sharp La clemenza di Tito live from Bergen

By Mark Valencia, 16 March 2021

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“light on pomp and glitter but forensically presented to reflect our times”

Reviewed at Grieg Hall (Grieghallen), Bergen on 15 March 2021

Mozart, La clemenza di Tito

Bergen National Opera

Edward Gardner, Conductor

Rodula Gaitanou, Director

Cordelia Chisholm, Costume Designer

Simon Corder, Lighting Designer

Bror Magnus Tødenes, Tito

Adrian Angelico, Sesto

Beate Mordal, Vitellia

Ingeborg Gillebo, Annio

Frøy Hovland Holtbakk, Servilia

Christian Valle, Publio

Edvard Grieg Choir

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Echo of a silent scream: Asle and Alida premieres in Bergen

Christopher Woodley, 29th March

Jon Fosse's bleak tale of alienation is graced with fine performances from a strong cast and excellent playing by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra under Johannes Gustavsson.

***11

The Flying Dutchman sails into Bergen

Dominic Lowe, 10th March

Bergen National Opera’s new production allows the story to speak to itself, while strong performances from Eric Halfvarson and Elisabeth Teige gave the performance its edge.

****1

A staged Messiah that sheds little light on Handel's oratorio

Mark Valencia, 1st June

Netia Jones is a visionary stage practitioner, but this show is a rare misjudgement.

***11

A stellar Peter Grimes in Bergen

Mark Valencia, 30th May

This Peter Grimes was a tale of two talents: the conductor and the star.

*****

Il turco in Italia puts ashore in Bergen

David Karlin, 25th March

Mark Lamos' staging is a riot of colour and movement; George Souglides gives us a masterclass in costumery; fine Italian singing illuminates this Norwegian première for Rossini's madcap Il turco in Italia.

****1

Strauss à la Fellini: Ariadne auf Naxos at Opera North

Richard Wilcocks, 18th February

Rodula Gaitanou sets Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal's comedy in the Cinecittà film studios of the 1950s.

****1

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Mark Valencia

Mark has worked in arts journalism for four decades, both as a writer and as a French-English translator. Nowadays he focuses his energies on reviewing opera and music. Mark also writes for Opera magazine and for Musical America as a correspondent for Europe and the UK.