Embracing the iconic, spectacular harbour setting, creative team La Fura dels Baus have fashioned an intelligent, epic, moving and thought-provoking staging of Puccini’s treasured opera Madama Butterfly.
Sun Set to Rise on Harbour Butterfly
Completing a cycle of three lavish outdoor productions over three years, Madama Butterfly is set to open on Friday. This cherished Puccini opera follows La Traviata (2012) and Carmen (2013) as the […]
Paris Opera: Werther review
What better opera to see in Paris than this most French of operas, starring France’s favourite opera son. This season premiere is distinguished by excellent singing, fine orchestral playing and a suitably […]
The Royal Opera: Manon review
Massenet’s lush, romantic setting of the time-honoured French tale of Manon is given a lavish treatment in this sumptuous yet stylish production. The journey of impetuous anti-heroine Manon from rags to riches […]
The Royal Opera: Carmen review
With its spoken dialogue, scores of children, animals and dancers, and rich, authentically Spanish setting, director Francesca Zambello’s creative but traditional production of perennial favourite Carmen is a true crowd-pleaser. Action, dance […]
Bayerische Staatsoper: Eugene Onegin review
This most famous Russian opera receives a curiously tawdry, emotionally stilted treatment at Bavarian State Opera. Transplanted to a winter sports lounge in the swinging ’60s, the morals and traditions of the […]
Bayerische Staatsoper: La Traviata review
Regular readers may well be aware that Man in Chair could easily watch La Traviata every night until time immemorial. Only three nights since reviewing Damrau, Beczala and Lucic in La Scala’s […]
Bayerische Staatsoper: La Forza del Destino review
A vision of white, gold and musk, Munich Nationaltheater may be the ultimate music box opera house. Practically every seat is a good one, and the acoustics are amazing. Audiences dress as […]
La Scala: La Traviata 2013-2014 review
For a somewhat controversial production, this new staging is surprisingly traditional in form. Despite the update in time and an overreliance on stage business, the heart and soul of the immortal tragedy […]
Melbourne Opera: Rienzi review
Melbourne Opera made a terrific contribution to the Melbourne Ring Festival with their concert performance of Richard Wagner’s early operatic success, Rienzi. A blaze of stirring choruses and heroic solos, the glorious […]
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