Time on her side: fairytale meets feminism in Tom Coult’s Violet

Anna Dennis (Violet)

Frances Gregory (Laura)

Richard Burkhard (Felix) and Andrew Mackenzie-Wicks (Clock Keeper)

Richard Burkhard (Felix) and Anna Dennis (Violet)

By Sarah Noble, 19 July 2022

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“the recurring toll of the clocktower’s bell weaves its way inexorably through Coult’s sinuous score”

Reviewed at Buxton Opera House, Buxton on 18 July 2022

Coult, Violet

Andrew Gourlay, Conductor

Jude Christian, Director

Rosie Elnile, Set Designer

Cécile Trémolières, Costume Designer

Jackie Shemesh, Lighting Designer

London Sinfonietta

Adam Sinclair, Animation

Anna Dennis, Violet

Richard Burkhard, Felix

Frances Gregory, Laura

Andrew Mackenzie-Wicks, Clockkeeper

ETO opens spring tour with an off-the-wall Manon Lescaut

Mark Valencia, 24th February

Jude Christian's indulgent reinvention of Puccini's opera does not serve English Touring Opera well as it embarks on its spring tour.

**111

A noble Norma trapped in a hollow dystopia

Andrew Larkin, 24th May

Salome Jicia delivers a vocally impressive and emotionally committed Norma, but Orpha Phelan’s post-apocalyptic staging fatally weakens Bellini’s sacred tragedy.

***11

A deli-cious revival of Rossini’s Il turco in Italia at Glyndebourne

Dominic Lowe, 23rd May

Mariame Clément’s production of Rossini's meta comedy is tightly revived with some excellent singing. Come for the writing tips, stay for the cured meats.

****1

Superb musical performances in Pinchgut's Scarlatti rarity in Sydney

Sandra Bowdler, 23rd May

As usual, Pinchgut lavishes musical excellence on an obscure Baroque work... but why stage an oratorio?

****1

The Met’s Frida y Diego proves visually stunning, musically thrilling

David Wolfson, 22nd May

Deborah Colker and her design team create visually vibrant worlds for the Met’s new production of El último sueño de Frida y Diego, by Pulitzer Prize winner Gabriela Lena Frank.

*****

Dudamel’s LA Phil Walküre proves worth the wait

Matthew Richard Martinez, 21st May

An enveloping performance of Die Walküre spans three consecutive evenings, featuring world class singing in Frank Gehry’s stunning space.

****1

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Sarah Noble

Originally from New Zealand, Sarah Noble is an arts administrator and freelance writer whose articles and reviews have appeared in Limelight, Opera, NZ Opera News and The Opera Critic. After stints in Sydney, Orlando, London and Manchester, she's now based in Macclesfield but travels frequently in pursuit of live performance – operatic and otherwise. Sarah was previously the producer of the International Opera Awards and now works as production co-ordinator for a classical music filming company.