Roderick Williams and David Butt Philip
So the War Requiem opened on Friday evening to a full Coliseum completely engrossed in Britten's masterpiece. It was a deeply moving musical and theatrical event, sublimely performed by the three soloists Emma Bell, David Butt Philip, and Roderick Williams, and the orchestral and choral forces of the ENO with the inspired addition of the ensemble from the Porgy and Bess production currently running to sold out houses. All this was brought together by Martyn Brabbins, a rock on which ENO's musical standards rest so firmly.
The absence of a literal narrative in no way diminished the power of the underlying story that we understand so well, which in Daniel Kramer's production, with designs by Turner prize winning photographer Wolfgang Tilmans (another inspired choice), had an emotional impact on all but the most insensitive cynics!
Emma Bell and Olufemi Alaka
It is an evening of eloquent images, deeply committed performances, and in the week that has marked the 100th anniversary of the 1918 Armistice, it provides an important opportunity for us to reflect on the state of the world today. I hope that a good many of our politicians will be there during the run........
Photos: © Richard Hubert Smith
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