I am really sorry to have seemed to have deserted you. I'm still here but have been distracted by the psychodrama of Brexit on the one hand, and by the installation in my right leg of a new knee - or to be precise a "half" knee, also known rather elegantly as an "Oxford knee". Both distractions have been painful. The first continues but I think that the knee is making progress, certainly in comparison.....I started with Oxycontin, transitioned to Tramadol for 5 days, then to Codeine, and I now can rely on Paracetamol! They have no impact on Brexit pain however!
© Clive Barda
Puck and Oberon in the Guildhall's Dream
Operatically it has been the month of the opera schools' major productions. The Guildhall kicked off with a really excellent production by Martin Lloyd-Evans of Britten's Midsummer Night's Dream. The strength of the vocal department at the Guildhall was there for all to see with an array of gifted performers announcing their arrival. An extremely enjoyable evening. I am reluctant to pick out an individual - but who could not be struck by the young bass William Thomas?
The Royal College of Music followed with a rare chance to see Offenbach's Robinson Crusoe in the excellent Britten Theatre - a huge benefit for the students to work in such a space. In a fun English version by one of the co-founders of Opera Rara, Don White, the irrepressible Bill Bankes-Jones and his designer Sarah Booth hit the spot perfectly, and the long evening (three hours) dragged for me not one bit. Now Offenbach's operetta is not one of his most memorable, but I was interested in some pre-echos of the Hoffmann bacarolle. He didn't quite manage to get it out first time round! Anyway a lovely evening if, as I do, you like this sort of thing! And there was a most promising young tenor in the title role for good measure - Glen Cunningham.
© Robert Workman
The child & the cats - Ravel: L'enfant et les sortileges - Gabriele Kusyte, James Geidt, Olivia Warburton
The Royal Academy Opera wrapped it up with an enjoyable double bill of Tchaikovsky's Iolanta and Ravel's L'enfant et les sortilèges. In the Tchaikovsky there were striking appearances from Ossian Huskinson as René and a splendid Marta - Stephanie Wake-Edwards (due to join the Jette Parker programme at the Royal Opera House next season) - watch her! And then we had a totally captivating performance of the Child in Ravel's magical one acter from Olivia Warburton. A real and rare treat to see a young artist of such accomplishment.
And now something very special for your diaries - on Sunday evening April 14 on BBC4 you must tune in for a remarkable film - Janet Baker In Her Own Words - by the film maker John Bridcut.
I was fortunate enough to have been invited to a preview screening last Wednesday evening - and you can get a flavour from the short clip on John Bridcut's website linked to above. Under no circumstances are you permitted to miss this.
Next up is the opening of Jack the Ripper at the Coliseum this evening!
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