Reader Reviews
Lucrezia Borgia (London Coliseum, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Another ENO disaster. Perhaps some will think it is wrong of me to comment as I left at the interval but why subject myself to more misery on behalf of poor old Donizetti. I almost gave a score of 2 because the singing and playing was not bad but those filmed interludes destroyed all dramatic tension and left it impossible for the subconscious to carry over the composers musical ideas from one scene to the next. I hope to hear Michael Fabiano again, much better in this than last years Rigoletto and Clare Rutter could have been a really good Lucrezia in another production. The change of sex of Orsini was dramatic nonsense in an historically costumed production and the character was only reffered to as 'she' in the prologue!!! - KJ | 22 Feb 11 |
| Dear Fed Up: thank you for the comment, and for correcting my key-slip re Alfonso. However, notwithstanding your objection Gennaro is indeed ignorant of his own identity. As for your other observations, I'd warmly recommend that you see the ENO production and then return with another comment. - Mark Valencia | 02 Feb 11 |
| I did not see the production but am familiar with the work. The role of Lucrezia's husband is Alfonso not Alonso. Gennaro may be naive but not ignorant. Your commentary shows a general distaste for the repertoire with an audible snear in tone. What about the music?! Complaining about singers facing forward shows a complete ignorance regarding correct opera performance practice. Opera is not meant to be amplified and therefore singers must face or "cheat" front. If you want to see this done well, watch Sutherland and Kraus in the film version. A live opera is not a major motion picture, tv show or a musical theatre production. I for one am tired of the lines being blurred between different genres. Such ignorance has brought us to a world where many exciting voices go unheard while voiceless music theatre types parade around calling themselves opera singers, singing upstage away from their intended audience. - Fed Up | 02 Feb 11 |
