The Lion's Face | Bachtrack

By Alison Karlin, 22 July 2010

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Reviewed at Royal Opera House: Linbury Theatre, London on 21 July 2010

Langer, The Lion's Face

The Opera Group

Nicholas Collon, Conductor

John Fulljames, Director

Dave Hill, Mr D

Elizabeth Sikora, Mrs D

Fflur Wyn, Caregiver's daughter

Rachel Hynes, Caregiver

Benedict Nelson, Clinician Scientist

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This week the Linbury Studio Theatre attracted an audience of the more minute variety with its dazzling production of The Firework-Maker’s Daughter. Based on Philip Pullman’s novel, the two-act opera transported its listeners into the realms of the Far East with papery costumes, Indonesian shadow puppetry and hand-crafted pyrotechnics.

*****

The Opera Group: Babur in London at Sadler's Wells

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Babur in London is the latest production from pioneering opera company The Opera Group, and it provided a thought-provoking evening. A collaborative venture between British-born composer Edward Rushton and New Delhi-based librettist Jeet Thayil, the new work has already toured Switzerland, and arrived in London following dates in Basingstoke, Oxford, Leeds and Birmingham.

***11

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Two sisters, a knight, a miller, and a blind harpist. Such is the cast of Tony Harrison and Harrison Birtwistle's Bow Down, their 1977 music-theatre piece currently being toured around the UK by The Opera Group. It's an elemental, mythic piece, but also a testament to the endless capacity for novelty that old, grim folk tales like this have.

***11

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****1

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****1

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This was opera which found expression using modern technology in a way that did not offend, intimidate or distract the audience, but rather enhanced the experience.

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Alison Karlin

Co-founder of Bachtrack, Alison handles sales, marketing and PR for the site. When not at the opera with David, or travelling around Europe, she can often be found either on the tennis court, singing or swimming. JS Bach instrumental music is required listening when thinking time is required, while Mahler is reserved for off duty time. Alison is passionate about bringing children and new listeners to classical music and opera.