A devastating War Requiem in Oslo

By Aksel Tollåli, 13 September 2016

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“crazed, almost prophetic, spiritual clarity, like an infanticidal Cassandra”

Reviewed at Oslo Opera House, Main Stage, Oslo on 10 September 2016

Britten, War Requiem, Op.66

Norwegian National Opera

Lothar Koenigs, Conductor

Calixto Bieito, Director

Susanne Gschwender, Set Designer

Ingo Krügler, Costume Designer

Evan LeRoy Johnson, Tenor

Natalia Tanasii, Soprano

Johannes Kammler, Baritone

Norwegian National Opera Chorus

Norwegian National Opera Orchestra

Wayne McGregor’s Jocasta’s Line offers powerful performances

Maggie Foyer, 13th September

A dramatic staging of two Greek myths, Wayne McGregor’s Jocasta’s Line is an epic production for Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, a truly modern and totally original work.

****1

Alone and in love: Christoph Loy’s compelling new Onegin in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 15th February

Chrisoph Loy's new Oslo production of Eugene Onegin only somewhat succeeds in its desire to create a meditation on loneliness, but superb musical performances still make it an utterly compelling piece of music theatre.

****1

Too many doors: Don Giovanni in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 29th May

Despite some dramatic frustrations, at least in Oslo, Jones' production is saved by some truly outstanding singing.

***11

Maybe it’s make-believe: a curious Norma in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 20th January

The first staging of Bellini's Norma in Oslo in over a century is unfortunately hampered by an irritating production, yet some glorious singing does much to rescue the show.

**111

Into the abyss: a harrowing Wozzeck in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 25th November

Christoph Loy's Oslo production of Wozzeck is a dramatic triumph, with gripping performances from a cast led by Audun Iversen's desperate title character.

*****

An underwhelming Barber in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 14th October

François de Carpentries' Oslo production of The Barber of Seville was both unfunny and underwhelming.

**111

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Aksel Tollåli

Aksel is currently studying towards a degree in musicology at the University of Oslo. At the moment he is an exchange student at Goldsmiths College in London. He is also a choral singer and a trombonist. His musical interests include 20th-cenury French music, Baroque opera and the music of Richard Strauss.

Frighteningly intense: Calixto Bieito directs a devastating War Requiem in Oslo