Reader Reviews
Pelleas et Melisande (Holland Park Open Air Theatre, Inner London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | A feast for the ears. I could scarcely fault the musical performance, so bravo to Brad Cohen and all the singers and players. Post-interval in particular it was electric and the 'Je t'aime' moment had incredible power. Fantastic work. But oh, what a stupid, stupid production these top musicians were lumbered with. P & M is a symbolist play/opera to begin with, so only a complete klutz would impose their own wannabe symbolic interpretation on top of that. It just makes a mess. Dear Ms Fuchs, engage brain before showing off. As for the magnificent seven am-dram dames, sunny smiles and chortling spread around the auditorium - not quite in the mood of the piece, but unintentional fun even so. - Job | 17 Jun 10 |
| I had never seen Pelleas before and I am afraid the "compelling libretto" escaped me. Full of non-sequiturs and themes not developed. Nonetheless I agree with most of your review except that I found Alan Opie's Golaud to be constantly sinister - (shouldn't he be at least a little enigmatic or changeable in temperament at times?) The principals all sang splendidly especially given the terrible conditions. The nearest to hypothermia I have ever come in the opera. - David Reeks | 03 Jun 10 |
