Robert Le Diable

Synopsis

Robert, Duke of Normandy, has travelled to Sicily with the hope of marrying Princess Isabelle. But his sinister companion, Bertram, threatens to lead him astray.

Our Review:

7 December 2012

The big story on the London opera scene this week has been the late departure of the lead soprano from the Royal Opera’s new Robert le diable, when it should have been the revival of Meyerbeer’s grand work after a 120 year absence.  Putting aside the gossip and speculation as to what happened in the rehearsal room, as well as the earlier casting issues that have bedevilled the production, let’s focus on the real event.

Giacomo Meyerbeer was the most celebrated opera composer of his day, enjoying enormous success with this and a handful of other works, but his reputation diminished rapidly after his death, not least once his protégé Richard Wagner got his fangs into him.  In the twentieth century he was almost unperformed; one could have been a regular operagoer for 40 years in this city and hardly had an opportunity to see his work, making this major revival a must-see for anyone wanting to go beyond the usual limited...

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Latest User Review

David Felton - 8 December 2012:

Hymen, Ciofi, Poplavaskaya and Relyea all sing their socks off. Pelly takes the proverbial, sure, but Oren is a faithful custodian of the grand tradition. The hectic nuns lack all motivation as Puccini astutely saw. ...

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